Show All Answers

1. Who may vote in a Borough election?

A qualified Borough voter is a person registered to vote in state elections at residence address within the Borough at least 30 days before the election at which the person seeks to vote. KGBC 5.10.010

2. How do I get ready to vote?

1. Register to vote no later than 30 days prior to the Regular election 2. Decide how you want to vote: in person, by fax, or by mail 3. Get educated! Pick up sample ballots as early as 15 days prior to the election from the Clerk’s Office.

Voter Registration Forms and Instructions

3. How can I register to vote?

Voter registration forms are available at the Borough Clerk's Office, City Clerk's Office, Ketchikan Public Library, and Alaska Elections Homepage .

4. Can I plan ahead and request a ballot ahead of time?

Yes. Voters may apply for absentee ballots at the Clerk's office as early as January 1, as follows: A by-mail ballot as early as January 1 of the calendar year in which the election was held; A by-fax ballot no sooner than 30 days prior to the election; An in-person absentee ballot no sooner than 15 days prior to the election.

5. How do I vote in person for a Borough Election?

• Show up - polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Clerk's offices for absentee in person.
  
• Have ID ready - election workers will have precinct register.
  
• Not your precinct - you can vote using a questioned envelope.
  
• Follow the voting instructions provided by the poll workers.
  
• Do not take campaign materials with you. Campaign signs and materials are not allowed within 200 feet of an active polling place, including the absentee voting locations at the Clerk's office.
  Borough Polling Places

6. What if I am housebound or need help voting?

Provisional voting is available for you. Another adult may serve as a personal representative and may pick up a ballot for you, bring it to you for you to vote, sign the witness acknowledgment on the outside of the personal representative envelope, and return the ballot in the personal representative envelope to the absentee voting facility or any voting precinct on election day.

7. Where do I vote?

There are seven Borough election precincts. Your designated polling place is based on your residential address. On election day, your name will be listed on the precinct register in the precinct where you reside. You may vote in another polling place, but you will be asked to fill out a questioned voter envelope. Questioned voter ballots will be reviewed and counted separately by the canvass board.

Borough Polling Places

8. How do I vote for a Write-In Candidate?

In order to vote for a write-in candidate the voter must, in the space provided, write in the candidate’s name as the candidate’s name appears on the declaration of write-in candidacy filed with the Borough Clerk and fill in the oval opposite the candidate’s name. The use of stickers on the ballots is prohibited. Voters may request assistance from the poll workers.

9. Which Write-In Votes are Tallied?

According to KGBC 5.30.040 (a), Write-in votes are only tallied if:

(1)    If the person running as a write-in candidate has, at least before 5:00 p.m. of the day before the election, filed a declaration of write-in candidacy on a form provided by the clerk stating that they are willing to assume the office if elected and have also filed a completed public officials financial disclosure statement with the borough clerk; or

(2)    If the total number of write-in votes for an office exceeds the smallest number of votes cast for a candidate for that office whose name is printed on the ballot.

10. More questions?

Give the Borough Clerk's office a call at 228-6605, or stop by at 1900 First Avenue, Suite 115 (White Cliff building). Borough Election Web Page