COVID-19 Borough Election Safety

Absentee Voting

As part of the continued effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community and ensure the safety of voters and poll workers, the Kenai Peninsula Borough recommends applying to vote with an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots can be mailed, faxed or delivered to the ballot dropbox or in-person absentee voting location. To apply for an absentee ballot, you must be a registered Kenai Peninsula voter.

  1. Register to vote. https://voterregistration.alaska.gov/
  2. Already registered to vote? Verify or update your registration. https://voterregistration.alaska.gov/
  3. Complete an Absentee Ballot Application to vote absentee in the Borough and Municipal elections.

Apply Online at https://my.kpb.us/vote starting August 24th or download an application and submit it by mail or fax

 

In-Person Voting

In-person voting will continue to be offered, both through In-Person Absentee voting starting Sept 21st and through normal in-person voting on Election Day, for those who prefer these voting methods. We are taking the following precautions at in-person voting locations to keep you safe and ask that you assist us as well. 

The Borough will take the following precautions:

  1. Provide all poll workers with face coverings and disposable gloves.
  2. Regularly wipe down common touch points with disinfectant.
  3. Offer hand sanitizer to all voters upon entering and exiting the voting location.
  4. Apply floor decals to encourage physical distancing while in line. 

Please email vote@kpb.us or give us a call at 907-714-VOTE (8683) or toll free (833) 796-VOTE (8683) if you need additional assistance.

 

Borough Absentee Voting Information

envelope

Safe

The absentee ballot system is a safe way to cast your vote during the COVID-19 pandemic. You may apply for an absentee ballot and vote from home.

  

secure

Convenient

Avoid lines and crowds at polling places. Absentee ballots are a quick and easy way to vote at your convenience in the weeks leading up to election day.

  

convenient

Secure

For over 20 years, absentee ballots have been a secure option for voting in Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) elections.

Step 1. Apply

Registered voters living in the Kenai Peninsula Borough can apply for a borough absentee ballot. Visit https://voterregistration.alaska.gov/ to register to vote or update your voter information.
Option 1: Complete an Absentee Ballot Application and mail or fax it back to the Borough Clerk's Office.
Option 2: Complete the online application starting August 24, https://my.kpb.us/vote
NOTE: If you have already applied for an absentee ballot through the Kenai Peninsula Borough, no need to reapply.

Step 2. Verify

Verify that your application was received and validated. Online applicants will be emailed the status of their application as it is processed or you can track your application at https://my.kpb.us/vote. For print and faxed applications, call the Borough Clerk's Office at 907-714-VOTE (8683) or toll free at 833-796-VOTE (8683).

Step 3. Watch

Check your mail for your absentee ballot and postage paid return envelope.

Step 4. Vote

Fill out your absentee ballot completely and return it using one of these options:
• Mail: use enclosed return envelope
• Fax: (907) 714-2388
• Secure ballot drop box at the Borough building: 144 N. Binkley Street, Soldotna, AK 99669
• In-person at an absentee voting location starting two weeks prior to election day at one of the locations below:

Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk's Office
George A. Navarre Borough Administration Building,
144 N. Binkley, Soldotna
Mon to Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM through Election Day
This site has ballot styles for ALL KPB precincts.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Annex Office
638 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer
Mon to Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Sept 24 through Election Day
This site has ballot styles for ANCHOR POINT,
DIAMOND RIDGE, FOX RIVER, HOMER NO. 1,
HOMER NO. 2, KACHEMAK CITY/FRITZ CREEK,
NINILCHIK, SELDOVIA /KACHEMAK BAY, TYONEK
precincts.

Homer City Clerk’s Office
491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer
Mon to Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM through Mon, October 5
This site has ballot styles for HOMER NO. 1 and
HOMER NO. 2 precincts.

  

Kenai City Clerk’s Office
210 Fidalgo Avenue, Kenai
Mon to Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM through Election Day
This site has ballot styles for CENTRAL, KBEACH,
KENAI NO. 1, KENAI NO. 2, KENAI NO. 3, NIKISKI,
SALAMATOF and TYONEK precincts.

Seldovia City Clerk’s Office
235 Dock Street, Seldovia
Mon to Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM through Mon, October 5th
This site has ballot styles for SELDOVIA/KACHAMAK BAY
precinct.

Seward City Clerk’s Office
410 Adams Street, Seward
Mon to Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM through Election Day
This site has ballot styles for BEAR CREEK,
COOPER LANDING, HOPE, MOOSE PASS and
SEWARD/LOWELL POINT precincts.

 

Borough Absentee Voting FAQs

  1. How do I register to vote?

    2. Visit https://voterregistration.alaska.gov/ to register to vote online or to obtain a paper form. Voter registration paper forms are also available at the Borough Clerk’s Office and all City Clerk’s Offices.

  2. When is the next election?

    3. The Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) and municipalities within the KPB conduct elections annually on the first Tuesday in October. The State of Alaska conducts the Primary Election on the third Tuesday in August and the General Election on the first Tuesday in November in even numbered years.

  3. What is an absentee ballot?

    4. An absentee ballot is a ballot that is obtained through an application process for voters who will be absent from their designated polling location on Election Day.

  4. What is the difference between by mail voting and absentee ballot voting?

    5. By mail voting is an automatic voting method in which ballots are automatically mailed to every registered voter. Absentee ballot voting requires the voter to apply to have a ballot either mailed or electronically transmitted to them. The KPB has six precincts that are designated as absentee by-mail precincts, all registered voters in those precincts will automatically by mailed their ballot. 

  5. Who is eligible to submit an absentee ballot application?

    6. All Kenai Peninsula Borough registered voters are eligible to submit an absentee ballot application.

  6. How do I request an absentee ballot?

    7. You may apply online at https://my.kpb.us/vote or you may obtain a paper form at the Borough Clerk’s Office, 144 N. Brinkley Street, Soldotna.

  7. After I submit my request for an absentee ballot, when will I receive it?

    8. Absentee ballots will be mailed no later than 2-weeks prior to each election and up to 1-week prior to the election depending on when the application is received and processed.

  8. What if I do not receive a ballot after I request it?

    9. Contact the Borough Clerk’s Office at 907-714-VOTE (8683) or toll free at 833-796-VOTE (8683)

  9. How do I submit my absentee ballot?

    10. Mail, fax, in-person drop off or ballot drop box at KPB

  10. Who is eligible to submit an absentee ballot?

    11. All Kenai Peninsula Borough registered voters

  11. What is the process for voting an absentee ballot?

    12. 1. Vote Ballot
    2. Place Ballot inside the return ballot envelope
    3. Sign the return envelope and provide ONE identifier
    4. Have your signature witnessed
    5. Secure and mail your ballot
    6. Questions? Contact the Borough Clerk's Office

  12. What phone number do I call if I want to speak directly with someone regarding absentee ballot voting?

    13. Contact the Borough Clerk’s Office at 907-714-VOTE (8683) or toll free at 833-796-VOTE (8683)

  13. Will my vote be counted if I submit my ballot after the deadline?

    14. No, all mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before election day and received prior to certification. Ballots that are dropped in person must be received on or before election day.

  14. Can an absentee ballot be mailed in?

    15. Yes, postage paid envelope is provided in ballot package

  
  1. If my household receives absentee ballots, can we put them all in the same envelope to return?

    2. No, each voted ballot must travel separately in the envelope provided for that specific voter.

  2. How does my absentee ballot vote get verified prior to being counted?

    3. The KPB election canvas board will review the ballot package for the following:

    • You requested an absentee ballot and the application is on file 
    • You provided an identifier which matches that provided to the State of Alaska, Division of Election when you registered to vote. 
    • You signed the envelope 
    • Your signature was witnessed 
    • Your voted ballot package was received prior to the deadline 
    • You did not vote in any other way for this election
  3. How do I know whether my vote was accepted or declined?

    4. If you applied online you can log into https://my.kpb.us/vote to view the status. If you applied with paper you can call 907-714-VOTE (8683) or toll free 833-796-VOTE (8683) for status updates. If for any reason the canvass board is unable to verify your ballot package and unable to count your ballot you will be notified in writing.

  4. When are absentee ballot votes counted?

    5. Absentee ballots are counted no later than certification on the following Tuesday.

  5. How are absentee ballots kept confidential?

    6. The canvass board works in teams of two. Once your voted ballot package has been verified and confirmed for counting. The team will open the voted ballot package and remove the ballot, which is secured in the provided secrecy sleeve. One member of the team will verify that the voter received the correct ballot style, the other member of the team will confirm ballot style voter was intitled to. The name of the voter and the ballot are never seen simultaneously by any one member of the team.

  6. Can I change my mind and change my vote after I return my absentee ballot?

    7. No, once the ballot has been received by an election official it can not be changed.

  7. Can I still vote at my regular polling place even if I receive an absentee ballot?

    8. Yes. You can either vote the ballot you received and drop it off at your polling place OR you can destroy the ballot you received in the mail and vote at your polling place. Do not vote twice! It is a felony!!!

  8. If I receive an absentee ballot by mail, do I have to vote it?

    9. No.

  9. If I vote absentee in the Borough election, will I automatically receive an absentee ballot for the November General Election?

    10. No, you will need to apply for an absentee ballot through the state of Alaska Department of Elections, 
    https://www.elections.alaska.gov/Core/AKVoteEarly.php

  10. If there is a runoff, will I automatically receive an absentee ballot for the runoff?

    11. If you marked the box indicating that you wished to receive a Mayoral Run-Off ballot or All Municipal Elections, you will automatically be mailed a ballot package for that election.

  11. Will in-person absentee voting be available as it has in the past?

    12. Yes, you can vote in-person at an absentee voting location starting two weeks prior to election day. View in-person absentee voting locations.

  12. Will in-person “regular” voting at my polling place be offered?

    13. Yes, you can in-person voting on election day. Find your polling location.