By THE ALASKA STORY
Early voting begins Monday, Aug. 3, for Alaska’s Aug. 18 primary election, giving voters more than two weeks to cast their ballots without waiting for Election Day.
Early and absentee in-person voting locations are opening across the state, although hours, weekend availability and the selection of district ballots vary by location.
In Anchorage, three principal early voting locations will be open from 8 am to 5 pm weekdays through Monday, Aug. 17:
- Anchorage City Hall, 632 W. Sixth Ave., Room 105
- Midtown Mall, 600 E. Northern Lights Blvd.
- Eagle River Town Center, 12001 Business Blvd., in the same building as the Chugiak-Eagle River Library
The Eagle River location will offer ballots only for Chugiak-Eagle River House Districts 23 and 24. The Midtown Mall will also offer voting hours on selected weekends as Election Day approaches.
The Division of Elections’ Region II office, at 2525 Gambell St., Suite 100, also provides absentee and voting-related services during business hours.
In Fairbanks, voters may go to the Region III Elections Office at 675 Seventh Ave., Suite A1. The office will be open from 8 am to 5 pm weekdays through Aug. 17. It will also be open from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Aug. 8 and 15, and from noon to 4 pm on Sundays, Aug. 9 and 16. On Election Day, it will be open from 7 am to 8 pm Ballots for all 40 Alaska House districts will be available at that location.
In Juneau, early voting is available at two locations:
- State Office Building, 333 Willoughby Ave., eighth floor
- Region I Elections Office at the Mendenhall Mall Annex
Both locations will be open from 8 am to 5 pm weekdays through Aug. 17 and will offer ballots for all 40 House districts.
The Mendenhall Mall Annex will have additional weekend hours: 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Aug. 8 and 15, and noon to 4 pm on Sundays, Aug. 9 and 16. It will be open from 7 am to 8 pm on Election Day.
In the Mat-Su Valley, voters have early voting options in both Palmer and Wasilla.
The Mat-Su Borough Building at 350 E. Dahlia Ave. in Palmer will be open from 8 am to 5 pm weekdays through Aug. 17.
The Menard Sports Center at 1001 S. Clapp St. in Wasilla will be open from 8 am to 5 pm weekdays. Weekend hours are 10 am to 4 pm on Aug. 8 and 15, and noon to 4 pm on Aug. 9 and 16. The Menard Center will also be open from 7 am. to 8 pm on Election Day.
Voters should bring acceptable identification, such as an Alaska driver’s license or state identification card, military identification, passport or another qualifying government-issued document.
Because hours and ballot availability can vary, voters should confirm the details before heading out. The Division of Elections maintains a searchable list of early and absentee in-person locations at its official voting locations page.
Alaskans living outside Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and the Mat-Su Valley can use the same website to find the closest voting location. Polling places will be open statewide from 7 am to 8 pm on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Alaska’s primary election enters early-voting phase Monday: What voters need to know
