Alaska Division of Elections Opens Early Voting for 2026 Primary Election, Impacting Key Races
Early in-person voting for Alaska's 2026 primary election commenced on Monday at 10 locations across the Railbelt, Juneau, and Nome. This election, scheduled for August 18, will determine the candidates for the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and governor positions for the November general election. Additionally, voters will decide on a measure to limit political donations directly to candidates. As of July 31, nearly 10,000 absentee ballots had been requested, with hundreds already returned. The primary election is particularly significant for a few contested legislative races, which could influence whether the state legislature is led by a Republican or a Democratic coalition. Key races include those in Eagle River, eastern Mat-Su, and southwest Alaska, where several candidates are vying for open seats. 
