Alaska

Look at this PowerPoint to learn how to fill out an absentee ballot and contact us at sewaneevotes@sewanee.edu if you have any further questions.

Important Dates

• Getting Started

• Visit Sewanee’s TurboVote page to receive help with registering to vote or voting

• TurboVote can help students with things like:

• Requesting and submitting absentee ballots
• Registering to vote, updating voter information, or checking voter registration
• Receiving election information

• You can also visit Alaska’s voter registration page for similar assistance and information

• Registering to vote by mail

• Only use this option if for some reason you are unable to register/update online. For example, register by mail if you don’t have an AK Driver’s License/State ID
• To register by mail, print and mail the form linked above to your regional elections authority

• Registration Deadlines
• Remember to check up on your registration status here and if it is not updated within 2 weeks of your submission, contact your regional election authority
• As a college student should I use my school or home address to vote?

• Many students prefer to register in their home state especially if they’re planning to move back after college. If you’re registered to vote in your home state, though, make sure to request an absentee ballot.
• You can register to vote in your college state as long as you aren’t also registered to vote in your home state. You can only vote in the state you’re registered in. Some students prefer to register in their college state if they’re involved in things like local political organizations or activist groups.

• Students with scholarships or tuition that require residency should check with their financial aid office before registering to vote back home. For example, if you have a scholarship that requires Alaska residency, you should ensure that registering to vote in a different state will not affect your status.

• You have a right to register to vote at the address you consider the place where you live, whether that is your family's home or the place where you attend school.

Absentee Voting

You can request an absentee ballot through TurboVote, your Voter Information page, by mail, or through another source

Make sure to have the ballot sent to you at the address you plan to be at when it arrives

If you intend to request an absentee ballot by mail, fill out this application in blue or black pen and ensure that you sign with the same signature you used to register to vote. Then mail the application to your regional elections authority.

Absentee Ballot Submission Deadlines

Absentee Ballot Tracker

After you receive and complete your ballot, send it to your regional elections authority.

Read more about submitting an Alaskan Absentee Ballot here

In Alaska, any registered Alaska voter may apply for an absentee ballot and vote by mail. You do not need to provide an excuse.

You can read more about your state’s absentee ballot rules here

Voter ID Laws

If you're not voting for the first time in Alaska, you don't need to provide a copy of your ID with your absentee ballot.

If you're a first time Alaska voter who registered by mail and you didn't provide ID when you registered, you'll need to provide a photocopy of one of the following forms of ID along with your mail ballot: A copy of a current photo ID showing your name and photograph; A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or another government document that shows your name and address

Your Alaska ballot will probably ask you to sign it in the presence of a notary public or a witness. If this applies to you look at the How to Vote Absentee PowerPoint and read this article for more information.

Common Issues and Questions

What if I don't have an AK Driver's License/State ID and/or SSN?

If you don’t have an AK Driver’s License/State ID you can still register to vote/submit an absentee ballot by using your social security number (SSN). It’s better to use your Driver’s License/State ID, though.

If you don’t have any of these things, you need to submit a copy of an alternative form of identification that shows your name and home address along with your registration application and mail ballot. This could be a Voter ID card, military ID, passport, hunting or fishing license or other current or valid photo ID. If you do not have the one of the identifications listed above, you may present a current utility bill or paycheck, government check or bank statement or other government issued document.

What if the name or address on my ID is incorrect?

The name or address on your ID doesn’t have to be current, however, you must provide an up-to-date name, home, and mailing address for your voter registration. This means that if your information has changed since you last registered to vote, you need to update/re-register.

Does where I register to vote affect my financial aid?

No, it will not affect any federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, Perkins and Stafford Loans, Academic Competitive Grants, SMART Grants, and other federal loans. Some private scholarships and grants are designated for residents of a particular place, so it is good to check with the administrator of the program to see how they determine residency.

Does where I register to vote affect my health insurance?

No, where you register to vote will not affect your health insurance.

Does where I register to vote affect whether my parents can claim me on their taxes?

No, a parent can still claim a child on their taxes, no matter where they are registered to vote.

Make sure that your signature on anything you submit regarding voting (e.g., absentee ballots or voter registration) matches the one on your AK State ID/Driver’s License

You can still vote absentee if you’re studying abroad. Usa.gov is a great resource for anyone needing to vote overseas.

Read more FAQ here

Resources

Columbia College’s Alaska Voting Guide

Tips for Registering & Voting on Campus

Voting in College Know Your Rights