FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

The next City of Kotzebue Municipal Election voting will be held on October 1, 2024, opening at 8AM and closing at 8PM. This election will be for Seats "D" and "E", which are three-year terms, and Seat "F", fulfilling the one year remaining of the previous Seat's term. As always, you can choose to vote in person the day of, or you can vote absentee. 

The results of the election will be canvassed on Monday, October 7, 2024. After the results are announced, residents have 24 hours to call for a recount. If a recount is called for, the City Clerk will complete it within 48 hours and announce the results. 

A potential voter in Kotzebue, after living here for thirty-days (30) can came to City Hall and request an application to register to vote that is provided by the State Division of Elections.  The application comes with a self-addressed stamped envelope provided by the State of Alaska.

After the application is received by the Division and reviewed by personnel the potential voter can expect to receive a Voter Registration card in the mail.  If an applicant does not have a physical address, the Division of Elections will either contact the individual by mail and/or telephone to get an estimated location of where the individual resides in Kotzebue.

You must apply to receive an absentee ballot. For municipal elections, a registered voter can come to the City of Kotzebue administrative offices to request a City ballot or request one by mail to vote absentee starting September 16, 2024. Once you receive the ballot, it must be completed according to the instructions and placed in the special envelope before returning it. The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot by mail is Sept 26, 2024; the deadline to apply for one in person is Sept 30, 2024. However, ABSENTEE BALLOTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 8PM OCTOBER 1, 2024 OR THEY WILL NOT BE COUNTED. THIS INCLUDES BALLOTS SENT THROUGH THE MAIL-WE CANNOT HONOR POSTMARKS. Despite this, the City of Kotzebue is dedicated to making sure every citizen has the opportunity to vote-if you need clarification or assistance, please call or email City Hall at 907-442-3401 or customerservice [at] kotzebue.org (customerservice[at]kotzebue[dot]org). 

For the Northwest Arctic Borough and/or State of Alaska election the voter will be required to contact the borough at 907-442-2500 to obtain that entity's requirements for voting in either the Borough or State election.

Do not hesitate to call the City at 442-3401 if you have any questions/concerns.

To be eligible to run for a Council Seat, you must be a registered AK voter, and have lived in Kotzebue for at least 90 days. If you fulfill these requirements, you can fill out a Declaration of Candidacy form and submit it to City Hall, either in person or at customerservice [at] kotzebue.org (customerservice[at]kotzebue[dot]org) with "Declaration of Candidacy 2024" in the subject line. Physical copies of the form are also available at City Hall. 

COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE 5PM ON MONDAY, AUGUST 12, 2024. 

For special needs voters, contact the City Clerk at 907-442-3401 or come to City Hall, 258A Third Street for specific information.

The first week of September of any year, the City Clerk publishes a notice about the election. The information is provided to the radio station and posted at City Hall. It will also be posted on this website.

The City Council designates the voting place by Resolution each election. This year the meeting to designate the polling place will be on Thursday, August 22, 2024. This FAQ will be updated with the decided location no later than August 30, 2024. The location announcement will also be posted around town by that date. 

The City Clerk keeps a list of current and former election judges to be contacted each election season. If you are interested in serving as an election judge, please contact City Hall at 907-442-3401 or customerservice [at] kotzebue.org (customerservice[at]kotzebue[dot]org) to determine eligibility. Election judges are appointed and their compensation set by the City Council by Resolution each election. The City Council will make this decision at one of the September 2024 meetings-the date will be updated here when confirmed.  

For election questions and assistance, please contact City Hall at 907-442-3401 or email customerservice [at] kotzebue.org (customerservice[at]kotzebue[dot]org) with "Election FAQ" in the subject line.