Ranked choice voting for president and other offices, plus deciding on whether to keep open primaries and ranked choice voting.

On November 5, 2024, Alaskans will use ranked choice voting in their general election. On the ballot: US president, one US House seat, most of the state legislature, two ballot measures, and judges for retention.

We've put together answers to the top questions we've been hearing about Alaska's ranked choice election:

Sightline Institute is also producing and sharing free voter education resources for Alaska at sightline.org/alaska-elections, including graphics detailing key election dates, sample ballots, and a map of regional election offices. If you still have questions after reviewing the ones below, please don't hesitate to email authors Jeannette Lee or Jay Lee (no relation). We'll update this article with additional answers to reader questions.

General information on Alaska's November 2024 elections

What is on the ballot in November?

On November 5, 2024, Alaskans will vote in the general election. They'll use ranked choice voting to decide who represents them for president, US House, all members of the state House, and half the state Senate.1 Voters will also decide on two ballot measures and whether to retain various state and district judges.

Neither of Alaska's US Senate seats is up for election this year, nor are the governor and lieutenant governor positions.

How does ranked choice voting work in Alaska's general election?

Voters have the option to rank the candidates in order of preference. Once the polls are closed, everyone's first-choice vote is counted. If a candidate receives a majority (50 percent plus one) of first-choice votes, then they are the winner. If no candidate gets a majority of votes after the first round, the candidate with the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated, and their supporters' votes are reallocated to the voters' second preference. This process continues until a candidate receives a majority of the vote.

Alaska voters used ranked choice voting for the first time in 2022, electing members of Congress, the governor and lieutenant governor, and state legislators. Alaska isn't alone. Maine also uses ranked choice voting, as do several cities and political parties. As of February 2024, voters in 60 jurisdictions across 24 states were using ranked choice voting in an array of elections, according to the election advocacy organization FairVote.

What key election dates should I know?

The key dates for the election are:

Sunday, October 6: Deadline to register to vote. If you received a Permanent Fund Dividend last year, then the state has already registered you automatically.

Monday, October 21: Most early and in-person absentee voting locations open. Hours and days vary by location.

Saturday, October 26: Applications for an absentee ballot delivered by mail must be received by the Division of Elections.

Tuesday, November 5: Election Day! Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

How do I register to vote?

If you are an eligible voter in Alaska and applied for a Permanent Fund Dividend in 2023, you were automatically registered to vote. To check your voter registration status, go to the state's My Voter Information page.

If you need to register or change your voter information, visit the state's Online Voter Registration page. Remember to register to vote by October 5.

How do I check my voter registration status?

You can check your voter registration status here.

When will election results come out?

Alaska's election results won't come out right away because the absentee ballots arriving after Election Day need to be counted. These ballots come from Alaska voters outside the state, including from members of the military, snowbirds, and college students.

Under Alaska law, there's a 10-day window after Election Day for these absentee ballots to arrive (15 days for overseas ballots). This longstanding practice helps ensure absentee voters aren't disenfranchised by m...