2020 Election

KTNA will be carrying local, state, and national election coverage this fall. This page will be updated with information about the 2020 primary and general elections, coverage of the national party conventions, and information about how you can vote safely in the upper Susitna Valley.

Voting Information

Local Community Council Elections:

  • Voting for the board of Talkeetna Community Council began October 19th at the Talkeetna Public Library and continues through November 3rd. For more information: www.talkeetnacouncil.org
  • Voting for the board of Susitna Community Council will be November 5th from 6 to 7 pm at the Upper Susitna Seniors and Community Center preceding the council’s monthly meeting. For more information: www.susitnacc.org
  • There is no ballot in the Mat-Su Borough elections for upper Susitna Valley residents.

State and National Elections: Here are some important upcoming dates from the Alaska Divisions of Elections (DOE) office relevant to the November 3, 2020 General Election.

  • October 4th was the deadline to register or update your voter registration for the 2020 General election.
  • October 19th is when early, absentee in-person, and special needs voting begins, and when the application period begins to request a ballot by electronic transmission. You can vote at the Trapper Creek and Talkeetna libraries during regular hours. The Alaska Division of Elections has published its list of early and absentee-in-person voting locations.
  • October 24th is the deadline to apply for an absentee by-mail ballot.
  • Ballots cast through October 29th at sites designated as Early Vote Locations will be counted and included with election night results. The closest Early Vote Location is the Wasilla Public Library at 500 North Crusey Street. All other ballots will be counted beginning the 7th day after the election.
  • November 2nd at 5 pm is the deadline to apply to receive a ballot by electronic transmission – either online delivery or by fax. An online application is available at absenteeballotapplication.alaska.gov or you can use a paper application. 
  • Tuesday, November 3rd is General Election. On Election Day, polling places will be open from 7 am to 8 pm. Polling places will be following state requirements for Covid-19 safety (more below). Local polling places:

All ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by November 3. State law allows for ballots postmarked within the United States to be received within 10 days following the election and 15 days if postmarked outside of the United States.

If you applied for a ballot, you can check the status at: myvoterinformation.alaska.gov.

For registration forms, absentee ballot requests, and additional information about voting, visit elections.alaska.gov.

Vote Safe 907, the State of Alaska’s safe voting plans

  • Voters are strongly encouraged to wear a face mask. Division of Elections (DOE) will provide personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks and gloves, for voters to use.
  • Voters are asked to not bring any extra people (i.e. children) into the polling place/absentee voting locations.
  • DOE and DHSS strongly encourage anyone with health concerns to vote absentee by mail.
  • All election officials will be required to wear provided PPE.
  • Election officials will not report to work if they feel ill or have had recent COVID-19 testing and have not received results.
  • Hand sanitizer will be available for voters to use before checking in, when using voting equipment and when they exit the polling place.
  • Election officials are required to disinfect all areas throughout the day that are frequently touched such as voting equipment, pens, door handles, etc.
  • Polling places will have physical distancing markers in place to keep everyone 6 feet apart. Social distancing is strongly encourage at all polling locations. Voting booths will be spaced six feet apart.
  • Election officials will monitor the number of people in a polling location at a time and will follow CDC guidelines.

Debates

NPR is planning live coverage of the Presidential Debates from 9 – 11 PM ET, and KTNA will carry that coverage from 5 to 7 pm Alaska time:

Sep 29 1st Presidential Debate -Case Western University (Cleveland, OH)

Oct 7 Vice Presidential Debate – The University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT)

Oct 15 2nd Presidential Debate – Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts (Miami, FL) – CANCELED

Oct 22 3rd Presidential Debate – Belmont University (Nashville, TN) – President Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden had their final presidential debate, moderated by Kristen Welker of NBC News. The topics were: COVID-19, American families, race in America, climate change, national security, and leadership.

AKPM’s Lori Townsend and KTUU’s Mike Ross will moderate Debate for the State for US House and Senate candidates. KTNA will carry Alaska Public Media’s coverage :

Oct 22 8 – 9pm US HOUSE – Incumbent Don Young v challenger Alyse Galvin

Oct 23 7 – 8pm US SENATE – Incumbent Dan Sullivan v challenger Al Gross

National Conventions:

Aug 24 to 27 Republican National Convention: KTNA will air NPR’s special coverage of the Republican National Convention from 5 to 6 pm each day. NPR’s daily convention coverage, including live video, is available at npr.org/conventions.

Aug 17 to 20 Democratic National Convention: KTNA will air NPR’s special coverage of the Democratic National Convention from 5 to 6 pm each day. NPR’s daily convention coverage, including live video, is available at npr.org/conventions.