For more than 30 years the Alaska Republican Party has quietly mailed absentee ballot request forms to registered voters across the state. This summer the party kept doing it — even as former President Donald Trump publicly denounced voting by mail.
Long habit, current controversy
The party’s outreach dates back to 1994 and persisted this year, when some recipients received a mailer containing a partially completed absentee ballot request form and an appeal to "advance Republicans to the general election ballot." The June and July mailings arrived as Alaskans prepare for the Aug. 18 primary, when candidates across party lines will compete for places on the November ballot under the state’s open primary system.
"Cheating,"
President Trump has dismissed voting by mail as "cheating," a phrase that has circulated in political commentary and on social media. The Alaska GOP’s continued push for absentee ballots illustrates how local practice can diverge from national rhetoric.
Who is requesting absentee ballots
The Alaska Division of Elections reported that through July 31 a total of 9,981 Alaskans had requested absentee ballots for the Aug. 18 primary. Analysis of those requests shows Republicans seeking mail ballots at a rate higher than their share of registered voters.
| Party | Share of registered voters | Share of absentee requests |
|---|---|---|
| Republican | 23.6% | 28.5% |
| Democrat | 11.6% | 19.7% |
| Undeclared | 49.5% | 32.1% |
| Nonpartisan | 13.6% | 18.8% |
Among a total of 602,131 registered voters in the state, the disproportionate share of requests from both Republican and Democratic registrants suggests that party-affiliated voters are more likely to engage in the absentee process. That pattern is consistent with political science findings that party registration often correlates with higher turnout and engagement.
Why the numbers matter
The higher rate of absentee requests from Republicans runs counter to the national narrative pushed by some leaders who oppose mail ballots. In Alaska, partisan outreach appears to be reinforcing turnout tools that campaigns and parties have used for years.
- Historical practice: The Alaska GOP has mailed absentee ballot materials statewide since 1994.
- Partisan pushes: The Alaska Democratic Party also mailed absentee request forms, and Democrats account for a larger share of requests than their registration share.
- Voter engagement: Registered independents and undeclared voters make up a large portion of the electorate but request absentee ballots at lower rates than party-affiliated voters.
Deadlines and practical details
Alaskans who want a paper absentee ballot mailed to them must request one by Aug. 8. If a voter prefers a blank absentee ballot to be sent electronically, the deadline for email requests is Aug. 17. All absentee ballots must be postmarked or faxed no later than election day, Aug. 18.
Those deadlines place pressure on voters who decide late to vote by mail. Partisan mailers with pre-filled forms can shorten the administrative steps for voters, but they also raise questions about how campaigns and parties influence the mechanics of voting.
Local implications
Alaska’s mix of open primaries, a high share of undeclared voters and widespread geographic dispersion makes absentee voting a practical tool for many residents. For communities off the road system and for seasonal residents, mail ballots are often the most reliable way to participate in statewide elections.
At the same time, the optics of national leaders condemning a method widely used in the state — while local parties promote it — highlights a split between rhetoric and on-the-ground operations. Voters who monitor national discourse may be confused when local parties continue practices those leaders attack.
Data through July 31 show a clear picture: party-registered Alaskans are engaging with the absentee process at higher rates than their share of the electorate, and both major parties are deploying mail as a tool to shape who advances to the November ballot. For voters, the immediate concern is practical: meet the request and postmark deadlines if they intend to vote by mail.
This story will be updated with additional figures from the Division of Elections as they are released.
