Special election is June 11

Saturday is Alaska’s special primary congressional election; voters will cast their ballots to fill the state’s lone seat in the House of Representatives, which was left empty after longtime Congressman Don Young died earlier this year at 88.

The election will determine a temporary replacement for the late congressman, who was up for re-election this November. There are 48 candidates vying for the open seat.

Although this year’s election cycle is Alaska’s first with a ranked choice system, for the June 11 special primary voters may only vote for one candidate. The top four from the primary will advance to the general election on Aug. 16, where voters will have to rank them by preference.

All ballots for the special primary must be postmarked or physically received by the Alaska Division of Elections by June 11, according to the department. The first ballot count will commence that same day, and additional counting and ballot review will take place on June 15, June 17 and June 21.

Since the special election is a mail-in, regular polling places will not be open on Election Day — all registered voters should have automatically received absentee ballots. Each ballot must also include the voter’s signature, identifier, and a witness signature. Voters do not have to pay for postage to mail their ballots in, and can also hand deliver their ballots to any of the five regional Divisions of Elections offices in Juneau, Anchorage, Wasilla, Fairbanks, and Nome.

Voters also can drop off ballots at early voter locations at city clerk’s offices in Homer, Kenai, Seldovia, Seward and at the Soldotna Prep School.

For a replacement ballot, email akabsentee@alaska.gov with your full name, identifying information like your date of birth, last four digits of your social security number, or state identification card or driver’s license number, and your email address.

If you received a ballot for someone who no longer resides at your residence, the Division of Elections is asking people to write “Not at this address — RETURN TO SENDER” and put it back in the mailbox. If a ballot is delivered to someone who has died, write “Deceased — RETURN TO SENDER” and place it back in the mailbox.

The Division of Elections can be reached at elections@alaska.gov or at 907-465-4611. For more information, visit https://elections.alaska.gov/specialelections.php.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.

Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News A portable sign on the Sterling Highway on Tuesday, June 7, reminds voters they can vote or turn in their special-election mail-in ballots at Homer City Hall through Friday, June 10.