Due to the pandemic, state elections officials expect a record number of absentee ballots will be submitted for the primary election coming up this month. For many people, this will be the first time that they have voted by mail. Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer says that the ballot is straightforward, with one exception:
“Our absentee ballots do require a witness, and they do require a personal identifier as well as the person’s signature,” Meyer said.
Anyone who is an adult and has ID can be a witness for the ballot. Your voter registration number is an excellent identifier. Meyer says that these measures make voting by mail very secure.
The deadline for mailing your ballot in is the date of the election. For the primary election, the ballot must be mailed in by Aug. 18. However, the deadline for applying for an absentee ballot is coming up. You have to get the application to the Alaska Division of Elections by Saturday, Aug. 8. If you haven’t done so by now, you will have to fill out the application online or send a fax.
If you need help, you can call the Alaska Division of Elections’ Nome Office at 907-443-5285, or you can call the division directly at 907-465-4611.