Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When does the Municipality of Anchorage conduct elections and what hours are the polling places open?
Municipality of Anchorage elections are held every year on the 1st Tuesday in April for the regular election & the first Tuesday in May for the run-off election, if required.
Polling places are open from 7:00 am through 8:00 pm.
State and federal primary elections are held in even numbered years on the fourth Tuesday in August. State and federal general elections are held in even numbered years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. For information on state and federal elections, visit the State of Alaska, Division of Elections website at http://ltgov.state.ak.us/elections/index.php or call 907-522-8683.
Q. Who is eligible to vote in an Anchorage election?
Persons who are qualified to vote in state elections and have been registered to vote at an address within the Municipality of Anchorage for at least 30 days prior to the election are eligible to vote. If you have moved, be sure to turn in a voter registration form with the changes. This must be done no later than 30 days in advance of the election. Please verify the changes have taken place by contacting the State of Alaska Elections office at 522-8683 or http://ltgov.state.ak.us/elections/index.php.
Q. When must I register to vote to participate in an election?
You must register to vote no later than 30 days before an election.
Q. Do I have to register for each election?
No. If you are registered to vote in State elections, you are also registered to vote in local elections. Your registration remains active as long as you remain a resident of Alaska in good standing.
Q. How old must I be to register to vote?
You may register anytime within 90 days immediately preceding your 18th birthday. Persons older than 18 may register at anytime.
Q. What do I do if my residence address has changed?
To vote in your correct precinct for an election, you must update your registration no later than 30 days before an election by turning in a voter registration form with all of your updated information.
Q. Where is my polling place?
To find your polling place, before the election please call the Polling Place Locator at 269-8683 or 1-888-383-8683. Using your computer, visit online www.muni.org click on MyNeighborhood or visit http://neighborhood.muni.org/, type in your address and select the Political pull down menu for the location name, address, and map to your polling location. Polling places are also listed here.
Q. I WANT TO VOTE EARLY or I'm not sure I'll be in town on Election Day. How do I get an absentee ballot?
Absentee in Person or early voting starts 15 days before the election. For additional information on Absentee in Person and voting early, please contact the Clerk's Office at 343-4311. Early Voting and Absentee in Person locations can be found on the last page of the polling place list.
You can also Vote by Mail! First request an Application for an Absentee by Mail ballot (click here), as quickly as possible. Applications for ballots to be mailed must be received by the Clerk's Office at least seven days before Election Day. If you would like us to mail you the form, please contact the Municipal Clerk's Office at 343-4311.
Q. If I am unable to go to the polls on Election Day due to age, serious illness or a disability, how may I vote?
Absentee by Mail is a great option to use as explained above, or
Special Needs Voting is available for:
- Any qualified voter who is an admitted inpatient in a hospital on Election Day April 6, 2010 may request delivery of a special needs ballot by an election official by calling the Clerk's Office at 907-343-4311 by 10:00am Election Day.
- A qualified voter with a disability, who is unable to go to a polling place to vote, may request pick-up and delivery of a special needs ballot through a personal representative the voter has selected. Special Needs ballots are available for pick up by the voter's selected personal representative at polling places on election day; and at Absentee in Person locations March 22, through April 6, 2010.
For details, contact the Municipal Clerk's Office at 907-343-4311 or 907-343-4376.
Q. How do I become an Election Worker?
We welcome you to join our great team of Election Workers. Download our New Election Worker Application or call 343-4311 to get an application.