Election season is upon us with the polls now open in the State of Alaska. KCHU’s Gabriella Palko cast a ballot and has more information about the absentee-in-person voting experience. Click the link below to listen, or scroll down for a transcript of this story.
Early and absentee-in-person voting is underway in the State of Alaska. Eager Valdez Residents, including myself, popped in to City Hall Tuesday morning to cast ballots for the 2020 General Election.
According to the Alaska Divisions of Elections website, Alaska is a no excuse absentee voting state. Anyone may vote using the early and in-person absentee voting options. When voting absentee in-person, your eligibility to vote in the election is verified after voting. You’ll be asked to complete an outer envelope with your information. After voting, your ballot is placed in a secrecy sleeve and then sealed and secured inside the envelope. Your voted ballot will be returned to your regional elections office and your eligibility to vote in the election is verified by a bi-partisan review board. Those early and in-person absentee ballots are counted beginning election night and up to 15 days after Election Day.
This election faces challenges with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, with many folks weary of voting in person and congregating in an indoor polling place on election day. Workers and voters at City Hall were masked, the front door was left open, and social distancing signage was posted and encouraged.
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After completing your ballot and handing it off, you’ll earn the coveted “I Voted” sticker. This year’s stickers feature the artwork of artist Barbara Luhvalley and feature her stylized depiction of the diversity, strength, and power of Alaskan women with voting phrases in 10 different languages. For those who vote from home, digital stickers are available on the Alaska Division of Elections website for download, so all voters can show off that they exercised their rights to vote.
The City of Valdez Office, at 212 Chenega is open for in person absentee voting Monday – Friday October 20 – November 2, from 8:30am – 5:00pm. General election day is Tuesday, November 3, and polls will be open from 7a.m. – 8p.m.
Reporting in Valdez, I’m Gabriella Palko
