ANCHORAGE – The Alaska Division of Elections has released sample ballots for the August 16 Election. On the front of the two-sided ballot is the “Pick 1 Primary,” to choose the candidates for the November 8, 2022 General Election. The back side is the special general election to fill the remainder of Representative Don Young’s term.
For the “Pick 1 Primary,” which is on the front side of the ballot, voters are reminded to select their favorite candidate for each race and fill in the oval to the right of the candidate’s name. Races include United States Senator, United States Representative, Governor and Lt. Governor, State Senator (for 19 of the 20 seats), and State Representative. The top four vote getters for each race advance to the November 8, 2022 General Election.
The back of the ballot is Alaskan voters’ first opportunity to participate in a ranked choice election for the special general election to fill the remainder of Representative Don Young’s term. Voters will see four columns, labeled “1st Choice, 2nd Choice, 3rd Choice, 4th Choice”. Voters are reminded to fill in only one oval for each candidate or column (see below image). For the voters’ 1st choice, fill in the oval in the 1st choice column. For the voter’s 2nd choice, fill in the oval in the 2nd choice column, and so on. The voter’s 2nd choice is only counted if their first choice is eliminated, and voters can rank as many or as few candidates as they like.
“Ranking the candidates in order of preference ensures voters have a voice in selecting their representative – even if their first choice isn’t the winning candidate,” Jason Grenn, Executive Director, Alaskans for Better Elections said. “This system provides voters with an opportunity to vote their conscience and if their candidate is eliminated they still have a voice in the conversation.”
The August 16, 2022 election will be a poll-based (in-person) election, with absentee ballots available to voters who request them at this link. Polling locations may have changed due to redistricting and voters are encouraged to check this link after July 13, 2022, to confirm their location. Voters can also vote early or absentee at one of these locations starting August 1, 2022.