Dropboxes Out, Absentee Voters Need $1.46 Postage
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- Category: News
- Created on Thursday, 17 October 2024 15:39
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By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
The Alaska Division of Elections has not continued a ballot dropbox program operated in coordination with the Municipality of Anchorage during the last presidential election, elections officials confirmed Wednesday.
Tens of thousands of absentee ballots were mailed to Alaska voters Oct. 11, and the end of the dropbox program means voters will either have to buy stamps or visit an elections office during working hours.
The size of the ballot means voters will need two “forever” stamps, costing $1.46 per ballot.
Elections offices are located in Anchorage, Wasilla, Kenai, Juneau, Nome and Fairbanks.
“Beginning next week, regional offices will be open 7 days a week including on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.,” said division operations manager Michaela Thompson by email.
“Additionally, voters can drop off their ballots at any early voting or absentee voting location during the locations hours of operation and then also to any polling place on election day from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.,” she said.
In-person voting will begin Monday at hundreds of Alaska communities, running through Election Day, Nov. 5.
Anyone can choose to vote by mail instead, but mailed absentee ballots must be requested. Unlike in Anchorage, Juneau and other municipal elections, they are not automatically mailed to voters.
You must apply by Oct. 26 if you want to have a blank ballot mailed to you. If you want to download and print a blank ballot, you can wait until Nov. 4. Ballots can’t be returned by email: They must be mailed or dropped off at an elections office.
If an absentee ballot isn’t dropped off in an office by Election Day, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day in order to count.
Because normal postmarking usually takes place in Anchorage or Juneau for mail sent from within the state, experts advise mailing ballots well in advance of Election Day.
Voters can also take ballots inside a post office and ask for them to be hand-postmarked if sent close to Election Day.
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20 YEARS AGO
October 2004
Seven Keystone Kops took oaths on the Pioneers Home lawn Thursday, promising to create chaos and disorder and start raising money for the annual Alaska Day celebration. For $2 you can buy this year’s button and avoid the Kops customary “fine” of a kiss.
50 YEARS AGO
October 1974
Photo caption: Sgt. John McConnaughey, Alaska State Trooper, swears in the Keystone Cops, officially launching Sitka’s annual Alaska Day celebration. The Cops will “arrest” and fine those not in costume, with the proceeds to help pay for the celebration.
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