Absentee in-person voting is underway in Alaska for the Nov. 3 Midterm Election. KRBD stopped by Ketchikan’s lone absentee voting spot – the Gateway Recreation Center – to find how the first week went.
The recreation center, usually bustling with kids, basketball players and pickleballers, was fairly quiet early Monday afternoon. But the art room, serving as a polling site, had a line running out the door. Poll workers sat at tables, checking voter IDs, having them sign a register and distributed ballot materials.
Shelly Dunn is the lead poll worker for the early absentee voting in Ketchikan. She says so far, turnout has been “excellent.”
“We have averaged probably 100 people a day, and that is just phenomenal,” Dunn said.
And she said people seem to be in good spirits.
“Poll workers are excellent to work with this year,” Dunn said. “They always are. And the people are excited. The voters that are coming in to vote are very happy to vote, and everybody has a good outlook on what’s to come.”
Nancy Tietje says she’s been a poll worker for over seven years. She helped with absentee-in-person voting in August’s Primary Election. She said the difference in this election is noticeable.
“It’s a lot better. We didn’t have a great turnout for [the Primary]. But we’ve got a great turnout going on so far,” Tietje said.
Many people at the polling site said they decided to vote absentee because they plan to be out of town on Election Day.
“I want my vote to count,” said Rebecca Henker-Ramirez, who cast her ballot early. “I am leaving town and won’t be here for the actual Election Day. I want to see some significant change in our government and structure and that is why.”
One voter said he has to boat in from Mosher Bay to vote, and didn’t want to chance the weather.
Absentee in-person voting continues through Monday, Nov. 2.
The deadline to request a by-mail ballot has passed, but fax or online voting is still available. Counting of absentee ballots begins on Election Night, Tuesday, Nov. 3.
You can find more information on elections, including an in-depth voter guide, on our website.
