COVID-19 AND MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS Election Resources for Clerks and Elected Officials. DCRA has put together information that clerks and elected officials may find helpful when considering alternative methods of voting. For more Election Information, please visit the DCRA Resource Desk Normal Elections with Distancing and Precautionary Measures The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has produced an interim guidance “Considerations for Election Polling Locations and Voters” specific to COVID-19. Please check the links regularly for updates. Recommendations for Election Officials and Poll Workers (updated June 22, 2020) Maintaining Healthy Environments (updated June 22, 2020) Maintaining Healthy Operations (updated June 22, 2020) Recommendations for Voters (updated June 22, 2020) Vendor and Manufacturer Guidance on Cleaning Voting Machines and Other Election Technology Considerations for Modifying the Scale of In-person Voting Health and Safety at the Polling Place Safeguarding Staff and Work Environment from COVID-19 Normal Election with Absentee Voting Encouragement Campaign Early Voting Campaign Early voting allows a voter to go to City Hall (for example) and vote in-person before Election Day. “Early Voting” is also knows as Absentee Voting In-Person. It does not replace other methods of absentee voting or voters going to the poll, but may help reduce the number of people needing to go to the poll on Election Day. The first place to start is with your Election Code. Most codes allow for some type of absentee voting. If your code already allows for Early Voting, great. You may want to start a campaign to encourage it even more this year. Here are example public service announcements, social media posts, and flyers. Example Announcements for Absentee Voting.pdf Example Social Media for Absentee Voting.pdf If your Election Code does not mention Early Voting or Absentee Voting In-Person, you will need to amend it either permanently or temporarily, and is a policy decision for the governing body (AS 29.26.010). Here are example ordinances, procedures and forms. Draft Early Voting Emergency Non-code Ordinance Draft Early Voting Non-code Ordinance Draft Early Voting Ordinance & Procedures Example Early Voting Oath & Affidavit Example Early Voting Procedures with Link to CDC Example Early Voting Register Absentee Voting By-Mail Campaign Absentee Voting By-Mail allows a voter to request a ballot be sent in the mail. (This is not the same as Vote-by-Mail.) It does not replace other methods of absentee voting or voters going to the poll, but may help reduce the number of people needing to go to the poll on Election Day. The first place to start is with your Election Code. Most codes allow for some type of absentee voting. If your code already allows for Absentee Voting By-Mail, great. You may want to start a campaign to encourage it even more this year. Here are example public service announcements, social media posts, and flyers. Example Voting By-Mail Flyer Example Announcements for Absentee Voting.pdf Example Social Media for Absentee Voting.pdf Draft Letter to Voters from Clerk If your Election Code does not mention Absentee Voting By-Mail, you will need to amend it either permanently or temporarily, and is a policy decision for the governing body (AS 29.26.010). Here are example ordinances, procedures and forms. Draft AbsenteeVoting By-Mail Emergency Ordinance Draft AbsenteeVoting By-Mail Non -code Ordinance Draft AbsenteeVoting By-Mail Ordinance & Procedures Example Absentee Voting By-Mail Application Example Absentee Voting By- Mail Instruction to Voters Example AbsenteeVoting By-Mail List of Applicants Example Absentee Voting By-Mail Oath & Affidavit Example Absentee Voti ng By- Mail Procedures with Link to CDC Vote-by-Mail Election Vote by Mail For “all-mail elections,” also known as “vote by mail elections,” municipal clerks mail a ballot to all registered voters whose names appear on the official voter registration list consistent with AS 15.07.125. The voter marks the ballot, puts it in a secrecy envelope or sleeve and then into a separate mailing envelope, signs an affidavit on the exterior of the mailing envelope, and returns the package via mail or by dropping it off. Vote by mail elections are not common in Alaska. If you intend to institute a vote by mail election, the first place to start is with your election code. You may want to start a campaign to encourage vote by mail for this year’s election due to the COVID-19 virus. Whether vote by mail is good for your community is a policy decision for the city council to deliberate under AS 29.26.010. The city council could consider adopting temporary vote by mail provisions applicable only to this year’s municipal election due to the COVID-19 virus. The city council could also consider adopting permanent vote by mail elections provision. Many states and municipalities which require vote by mail elections begun by providing all-mail elections only in certain circumstances, like the COVID-19 virus. Here are example ordinances, procedures and forms. Example Non-Code Ordinance Authorizing the Municipal Clerk to Institute and Administer Vote by Mail Elections Due to COVID-19 Pandemic Example Non-Code Ordinance Setting Temporary Rules, Procedures and Forms for Vote by Mail Elections Due to COVID-19 Pandemic Example Ordinance Instituting Permanent Vote by Mail Elections (COMING SOON) Other Helpful Resources Local Government Specialist Plain English Guide to Elections