Voting in Alaska: Built for distance, facing new uncertainty

Alaska’s voting system is designed to accommodate a large and geographically remote state, with widespread use of mail voting and policies that allow ballots to be counted after election day if they are postmarked on time.

In April 2026, lawmakers passed a bipartisan election reform bill (SB 64) that would have introduced ballot tracking, allowed voters to correct minor errors on absentee ballots, and provided postage-paid return envelopes. But in May, the bill was vetoed by Governor Mike Dunleavy, citing concerns about implementation before the 2026 election.

At the same time, federal actions are raising new questions about how systems like Alaska’s could function going forward. A 2026 executive order and a current Supreme Court case both challenge aspects of mail voting that are central to how elections operate in the state.

Why it Matters

For many women in Alaska—particularly in rural communities—mail voting is not just a convenience but a critical access point.

Balancing work, caregiving, and long travel distances can make in-person voting difficult. Mail voting allows people to participate without leaving their communities or arranging transportation, which in some cases requires air travel.

But access depends on more than just having the option to vote by mail. In Alaska, many ballots arrive after election day due to distance and delivery times. These ballots are still counted under current rules if they are postmarked on time.

If federal changes require ballots to be received by election day, rather than postmarked, that could affect whether many of these votes are counted—particularly in rural areas where delays are common.

Background

Alaska’s voting system is built around the realities of a large, remote state.

Mail voting and ballot rules: Mail-in voting plays a central role in Alaska’s elections, especially for voters who live far from polling locations. The state allows ballots to be counted if they are postmarked by election day and received within a set period afterward—a policy designed to account for long distances and mail delays.

Proposed improvements in 2026 (SB64): Lawmakers passed a bipartisan bill that would have added ballot tracking and a “curing” process, allowing voters to fix minor errors—such as missing signatures—so their ballots could still be counted. The bill also included postage-paid return envelopes. These changes were proposed in part because ballots in the 2024 election, particularly in rural areas, were rejected due to correctable issues. The bill was vetoed by the governor, who cited concerns about implementing the changes before the 2026 election.

System design (ranked choice voting): Alaska adopted ranked choice voting in 2020, with the first statewide use in 2022, as part of broader efforts to expand participation and voter choice.

Federal developments have introduced new uncertainty. A case currently before the U.S. Supreme Court could eliminate the ability for states to count ballots that arrive after election day, even if they are mailed on time. In Alaska, where a significant share of ballots arrive after election day, this change could disproportionately affect rural voters.

At the same time, a 2026 executive order proposes shifting aspects of mail voting oversight to federal agencies, including giving the U.S. Postal Service a role in determining which ballots are delivered. While the order is being challenged in court, it reflects broader national debates over how mail voting is regulated—and highlights how changes at the federal level could affect states differently.

Resources

Brennan Center for Justice - Analyzing the President’s Executive Order on Mail Voting
AP News - Cast a ballot and wait for the plane. In Alaska, a grace period for ballots is seen as a necessity