Early voting for Nov. 5 election starts Monday

The state primary election is Tuesday, Nov. 5, but Wrangell voters who would rather cast their ballots early can come to City Hall between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays starting Monday, Oct. 21, through Monday, Nov. 4.

Just walk back to the assembly chambers and, if the state elections staff does not recognize you, present a drivers license, voter ID card or other form of identification to get a ballot.

On election day Nov. 5, the polling booths will be set up at the Nolan Center from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voters are reminded that state law prohibits any campaign signs at a polling place or within 200 feet. That includes signs or banners on vehicles, or wearing T-shirts or hats or buttons.

The state has offered early voting for years, making it easier for people who may be busy on election day or simply prefer to cast their ballot ahead of time. All of the ballots are tabulated and totals released after the polls close.

Anyone who is voting by mail needs to have their ballot postmarked no later than Nov. 5; late ballots will not be counted. More information on absentee voting and sample ballots is available at http://www.elections.alaska.gov.

In addition to the presidential race, Wrangell voters will choose among candidates for U.S. House and the state House.

In the congressional race, incumbent Democrat Rep. Mary Peltola is seeking reelection. Her main challenge is Republican Nick Begich, who is trying a second time to win the state’s lone U.S. House seat.

In the state House race for District 1, which covers Ketchikan, Wrangell and Metlakatla, three candidates are running to succeed Rep. Dan Ortiz, who is not seeking reelection: Jeremy Bynum, a registered Republican; Grant EcoHawk, non-partisan; and Agnes Moran, non-partisan.

All three candidates for the state House seat are from Ketchikan.

There are also two ballot measures Nov. 5, both put before voters by citizen’s initiatives: No. 1, to raise Alaska’s minimum wage and require employers provide paid sick leave; and No. 2, to repeal the state’s ranked-choice voting system for candidates, replacing it with political party primaries.