By SUZANNE DOWNING
Oct. 4, 2026 — Thirty days remain until the Nov. 3 midterm election, when Alaskans will choose a governor, a US senator, the US House member, and state lawmakers, and decide whether to end ranked-choice voting.
Readers are encouraged to forward this article to friends and family to spread the word about the upcoming election and details they should know.
For those planning to vote early, the countdown is shorter: Early and absentee in-person voting begins Monday, Oct. 19, just 15 days from today. Locations and schedules vary by community, so voters should check before heading out.
The election carries consequences for control of Congress, the possible impeachment of the president, the direction of Alaska’s government and taxes, and ranked-choice voting in Alaska elections.
The Senate and governor’s contests remain competitive heading into the final month. Republican Congressman Nick Begich appears better positioned in the House race. An August Data for Progress poll put him ahead of nonpartisan challenger Bill Hill, 47% to 37%. That earlier survey gives Begich an advantage.
An immediate deadline: Register today
Oct. 4 marks the 30-day registration deadline for the general election. Anyone who needs to register or update their information should act today.
Voters can check their registration through the Division of Elections voter portal and register or make changes through the online registration system. The division lists election offices as open from noon to 4 pm Oct. 4 for registration.
Who is on the ballot?
The statewide candidate contests include:
- US Senate: Incumbent Dan S. Sullivan, Mary Peltola, Gerald L. Heikes, and Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.
- US House: Incumbent Nick Begich, Bill Hill, Eric Hafner, and James C. “Jim” McDermott.
- Governor and lieutenant governor: Dave Bronson/Josh Church; Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins/Zac Johnson; Treg Taylor/Candi English; and Bernadette Wilson/Mike Shower.
Sen. Dan S. Sullivan and Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. are different candidates. Voters should read the names carefully.
District ballots also include state representative races, state Senate races where applicable, and judicial retention questions.
Measure 2: The opportunity to repeal ranked-choice voting
Alaskans who want to get rid of ranked-choice voting can vote YES on Ballot Measure 2.
The initiative would restore regular primaries and single-choice general elections, with the candidate receiving the most votes winning. It would also repeal campaign-finance provisions enacted through the 2020 ballot measure, including certain disclosure rules and limits.
The repeal question does not change how voters mark their candidate choices this November. The 2026 general election still uses ranked-choice voting.
Measure 3: Voter qualification
Ballot Measure 3 addresses citizenship wording in Alaska’s election law. It would specify that only United States citizens who meet the other eligibility requirements may vote.
How to mark the ranked-choice ballot
For candidate races, put your preferred candidate in the first-choice column. If you want to rank additional candidates, mark your second choice in the second-choice column and continue in order.
Completely fill in no more than one oval in each candidate’s row and no more than one oval in each ranking column.
You do not have to rank every candidate. You may rank only one, or leave unwanted candidates’ rows blank. Your vote stays with your highest-ranked candidate who remains in the count. If that candidate is eliminated, it transfers to your next available choice. If you have no remaining ranked candidate, your ballot stops counting in that race’s later rounds.
Judicial retention questions and ballot measures use ordinary YES or NO votes. If you make a mistake while voting in person, ask for a replacement ballot.
Early voting and absentee voting
Alaska allows absentee voting without requiring an excuse.
At designated early-voting locations, workers verify that the voter’s registration information is current. Absentee in-person locations require an oath and affidavit envelope, which is reviewed afterward by the division and a bipartisan review board. Early-voting locations also use that envelope procedure when a voter’s residence information is not current.
For voting by mail, the absentee application deadline is Oct. 24. Follow the ballot packet’s instructions carefully, including signing the return envelope, providing an identifier, and obtaining the signature of a witness age 18 or older.
Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3. Ballots returned in person to a voting location must arrive by 8 pm Election Day. The division recommends asking a postal clerk to hand-cancel a mailed ballot to ensure a timely postmark.
Before voting, review the sample ballot for your district and check the official early and absentee in-person voting locations. Candidate order rotates between districts, so a candidate may appear in a different position from the one shown on someone else’s ballot.
Key points: Thirty days remain until Election Day. In just 15 days, Alaska’s in-person voting begins. Registration ends today.
