Being prepared to vote in the upcoming August 16 elections

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - A reminder today for Alaskans who are looking to vote in the upcoming August 16 Primary Election and the Special General Election: both elections are on the same day and the last day to register to vote for either election is Sunday, July 17.

The Special General Election will decide who will fill the late Congressman, Don Young’s seat for the remainder of his term. Rank-choice voting will be used in this election.

The Primary Election will determine the top four vote-getters for a couple of races, including the state’s U.S. House seat, and one of its two senate seats. Those four will advance to the General Election in November.

Ranked-choice voting will then decide the winners of those races as well.

The Alaska Division of Elections has already released sample ballots for the August 16 election. This election will be Alaska’s next test of its new open primary system.

This new process allows candidates, no matter the party affiliation, to appear on the ballot.

On the front of the ballot is the “Pick 1 Primary” to choose the candidates for the November 8 General Election.

The back side of the ballot is the Special General Election to fill the remainder of the Congressman Don Young’s term, which ends in January, 2023. That side will utilize ranked-choice voting.

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