For the 2026 general election, voters can cast a ballot in person before Election Day or vote absentee by mail. Alaska is a “no excuse” absentee voting state, meaning any eligible voter can request an absentee ballot without having to explain why they can’t make it to the polls.
Here’s what to know before Nov. 3.
When
The 2026 general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Early and absentee in-person voting begins Monday, Oct. 19—15 days before Election Day—and continues through Nov. 3. Hours vary by location, so check the Alaska Division of Elections’ location finder before heading out.
The state has also scheduled additional weekend hours at regional elections offices:
- Saturday, Oct. 24: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 25: noon to 4 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 31: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 1: noon to 4 p.m.
Where to vote early
Alaska maintains a list of early and absentee in-person voting locations around the state. One important distinction: early voting locations use voting tablets and can verify a voter’s registration information at the time of voting. At an absentee in-person location, voters fill out an oath and affidavit envelope, and the ballot is later reviewed by an absentee review board.
How early voting works
Early voting is much like voting on Election Day.
Show up at an early voting location, provide the required identification, receive your ballot and mark your choices.
When voting in person, Alaska asks voters to present identification.
Acceptable photo identification includes an Alaska driver’s license or state ID, military ID, US passport, or another current or valid photo ID, including student and tribal identification cards.
If you don’t have a photo ID, you can use certain documents showing your name and current address, including a birth certificate, hunting or fishing license, utility bill, government check, bank statement, paycheck or other government document.
If you forget your identification, you can still cast a questioned ballot, which goes through a separate review process.
How to vote absentee by mail
Alaska allows any eligible voter to request an absentee ballot by mail. You can apply online or submit a paper application. The online application requires a valid Alaska driver’s license or state ID; paper applications require a handwritten signature.
For the 2026 general election, the deadline to request an absentee-by-mail ballot is Saturday, Oct. 24. Ballots are generally mailed to voters about 25 days before Election Day.
You can check the status of your absentee application and ballot through the state’s voter information tools.
When is my absentee ballot due?
For the general election, an absentee ballot returned by mail must be postmarked by Nov. 3, 2026. Ballots mailed from within the United States can arrive after Election Day as long as they meet the state’s postmark requirements; the state’s calendar lists Nov. 13 as the deadline for those ballots to be received. Overseas ballots have a later receipt deadline of Nov. 18, if postmarked by Election Day.
If you return your ballot to a voting location, it must be dropped off by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Other absentee options
Alaska also offers absentee voting through online delivery and fax.
For the general election, those options become available Oct. 19. Voters using online delivery need an email address, computer and printer. Fax voters need access to a fax machine.
Applications for electronic transmission must be received by 5 p.m. Alaska time on Nov. 2, the day before Election Day. Voters who return an electronic-transmission ballot that way must have it received by 8 p.m. Alaska time on Nov. 3.
Military and overseas voters have additional options and earlier ballot-transmission timelines.
One more thing: check your registration
The voter registration deadline for Alaska’s general election is Sunday, Oct. 4.
Before voting early or requesting an absentee ballot, check your registration information and make sure your address is current.
Key dates for Alaska’s 2026 general election
- Oct. 4: Voter registration deadline.
- Oct. 19: Early, absentee, in-person, online-delivery, and fax voting begins.
- Oct. 24: Deadline to request an absentee-by-mail ballot.
- Oct. 24: Regional elections offices open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Oct. 25: Regional elections offices open noon to 4 p.m.
- Oct. 31: Regional elections offices open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Nov. 1: Regional elections offices open noon to 4 p.m.
- Nov. 2: Deadline to request an electronic-transmission absentee ballot by 5 p.m. Alaska time.
- Nov. 3: Election Day. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by this date.
- Nov. 13: Deadline for absentee ballots mailed from within the US to be received, if postmarked by Election Day.
- Nov. 18: Deadline for overseas absentee ballots to be received, if postmarked by
