By SUZANNE DOWNING
Aug. 16, 2026 – Alaskans are turning out early in unusually strong numbers ahead of Tuesday’s primary election, with the state approaching a record before the final weekend of voting was even complete.
As of Friday afternoon, 17,314 Alaskans had cast ballots at the state’s dedicated early-voting locations, according to the Alaska Division of Elections.
That put the 2026 early vote just 953 ballots short of the primary-election record of 18,267 set in 2022. With Saturday, Sunday and Monday voting not yet included in the state’s published total, Alaska appeared likely to break that record.
The Friday count was also just 74 votes shy of the final early-voting total of 17,388 recorded during the 2024 primary.
In all, the Division of Elections reported receiving 24,082 ballots by 3:24 p.m. Friday. That included:
- 17,314 early-vote ballots
- 1,289 in-person absentee ballots
- 5,129 mailed ballots
- 264 online-delivery ballots
- 86 special-needs ballots
The pace accelerated sharply during the closing days of early voting. As The Alaska Story reported last week, 10,078 early votes had been recorded through Tuesday, Aug. 11. The total grew by another 7,236 ballots over the following three days an increase of nearly 72%.
The turnout is particularly notable for a primary election, which traditionally draws fewer voters than a November general election.
Alaskans are choosing among candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, US Senate, US House, the Alaska Legislature and other offices. The four candidates receiving the most votes in each race will advance to the Nov. 3 ranked-choice general election, regardless of party affiliation.
Voters are also deciding Ballot Measure 1, which would establish new campaign contribution limits for state and local elections. The ballot measure favors wealth political action committees and unions, and diminishes the strength of individual donors to campaigns.
Selected early-voting locations were open Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Early and absentee in-person voting continues Monday, Aug. 17, although locations and hours vary.
Primary Election Day is Tuesday, Aug. 18. Polls will be open statewide from 7 am until 8 pm.
The Division of Elections had not published a newer statewide ballot total as of Sunday afternoon, meaning the actual number of Alaskans who have already voted is higher than the Friday report. At Midtown Mall in Anchorage, a long line of people were waiting to vote on Sunday afternoon.
The message for voters who have not yet participated is simple: Do not take this election for granted, and do not sit it out. Alaska is already showing up in strong numbers. Now it is time to finish the job.
Early voting continues through the weekend ahead of Tuesday’s Alaska primary
Alaska early voting surges over 2024 primary, as campaigns push supporters to the polls
Early voting begins across Alaska: Where to cast a ballot in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and Mat-Su
