Early voting open for Aug. 20 state primary election

The state primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 20, but Wrangell voters who want to cast their ballots early can come to City Hall between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays through Monday, Aug. 19.

Just walk back to the assembly chambers and, if the state elections staff does not recognize you, present a drivers license, voter ID card or other form of identification to get a ballot.

On election day Aug. 20, the polling booths will be set up at the Nolan Center from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The state has offered early voting for years, making it easier for people who may be busy on election day or simply prefer to cast their ballots ahead of time. All of the ballots are tabulated and totals released after the polls close.

Anyone who is voting by mail needs to have their ballot postmarked no later than Aug. 20; late ballots will not be counted.

Wrangell voters will have two decisions to make on the primary election ballot: U.S. House and state House.

In the congressional race, incumbent Democrat Rep. Mary Peltola is seeking reelection. Her main challenges are Republicans Nancy Dahlstrom, who is currently Alaska’s lieutenant governor, and Nick Begich, who is trying a second time to win the state’s lone U.S. House seat. There are nine other candidates running for the job.

The top four finishers will advance to the statewide general election Nov. 5.

In the state House race for District 1, which covers Ketchikan, Wrangell and Metlakatla, three candidates are running to succeed Rep. Dan Ortiz, who is not seeking reelection. All three will advance to the Nov. 5 general election: Jeremy Bynum, a registered Republican; Grant EcoHawk, non-partisan; and Agnes Moran, non-partisan.

All three candidates for the state House seat are from Ketchikan.

Under Alaska’s new voting system, implemented in 2022, there are no political party primaries. The top four vote-getters in the open primary advance to the general election.

 

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