Where do I vote?
The easiest way to find your polling place is by calling 1-888-383-8683. Give your Social Security number, and if you’re registered to vote, an automated system will tell you where to go. If you’re still not sure, you can simply go to any polling place and cast a questioned ballot. After Election Day, your ballot will be compared against the statewide rolls. If you’re registered, your vote counts no matter where it was placed.
When do I vote?
From 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Under Alaska Statute 15.15.100, your boss is required to let you, “without loss of pay, take off as much working time as will enable voting.” The only exception is if you have two consecutive hours while the polls are open and you’re not scheduled to work. For example, if your shift starts at 9 a.m. and runs to 9 p.m., you have to vote before your shift.
What do I need to vote?
You need to be already registered to vote, and you can bring a photo ID or utility bill with your name and address to confirm your identity — or you have to be personally known by a poll worker at the polling station.
You can bring your cellphone with you into the polling booth, and you can even take a selfie with your completed ballot, but you can’t call someone to ask how to vote. Looking up more information on your smartphone is fine, poll workers say.
How long will it take?
It depends when you go. The longest lines will be before 9 a.m., after 5 p.m. and between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. If you don’t have to wait in line, the process may take no more than 15 minutes.
When will we find out who won?
If you’re interested in the presidential race, the result of that could be clear as early as 5 p.m. By then, the first returns will be in from all of the contested East Coast states. If North Carolina, Florida, New Hampshire and Virginia go for Clinton, the result will be apparent quickly. If Ohio also goes for Clinton (polls close there at 3:30 p.m. AKST), it’ll be all over.
If you’re interested in Alaska races, polls here close at 8 p.m. and the Division of Elections expects to report first results between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. The results of any close races may have to wait until the morning or for a few days as absentee ballots are counted.
Where can I watch the results?
In Juneau, the Tongass Democrats are starting their watch party at 4:30 p.m. in the Rockwell Ballroom. (Apparently, they expect good news from the East Coast.) The “Get Out the Native Vote” campaign will host a watch party starting at 5 p.m. in Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. Cathy Muñoz and friends will hold a watch party for the state results starting at 7:30 p.m. at Canton House.
You can also watch from the comfort of your home. The Alaska Division of Elections will post results online as they come in. Visit www.elections.alaska.gov.
Is there anything if I don’t like politics?
If you’ve read this far, congratulations: There’s a prize at the bottom of the box. From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Juneau Arts and Culture Center and Gastineau Humane Society will host “Pet Therapy” at the JACC. Pet kittens and dogs for stress relief from a stressful election.
