Write-In Candidates
Filing for Office
If you did not file for office for the Primary Election, file as a nominating petition candidate for the General Election, or if you were unsuccessful in advancing to the General Election from the Primary Election, and you wish to be a candidate in the General Election, you may file as a write-in candidate.
Candidates filing as a write-in candidate for a General Election must file a Letter of Intent and a Financial Disclosure Statement with any Division of Elections Officeno later than five days before the General Election. Votes for a write-in candidate may not be counted unless the candidate has filed a Letter of Intent with the Division of Elections. There is no write-in vote on a Primary Election ballot.
If a write-in candidate is running for the Office of Governor, the candidate must file a joint Letter of Intent together with a candidate for the Office of Lieutenant Governor. Both candidates must be of the same political party or group.
Write-in votes are reported as a group in each race, combining votes for all write-ins. The votes will be counted for a write-in candidate race if the race is the highest number of votes received by any candidate in the race or the second highest number of votes.
Forms for Write-In Candidates
- Instructions for Filing
Checklist for write-in candidates filing for office. - Office of U.S. Senator or Representative
Link to the individual Letter of Intent form to print out and complete.
- Office of Governor and Lt. Governor
Link to the individual Letter of Intent form to print out and complete.
- Office of State Senator or Representative
Link to the individual Letter of Intent form to print out and complete.
- Financial Disclosure Statement
Link to the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) website to locate, print and complete a Financial Disclosure Statement form.
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Filing for Office Handbook (pending)
Contains general information including important dates, qualifications for holding office, filing requirements and other useful information. It does not include APOC forms or requirements. - Excerpts from Election Law - Title 15
Information pertaining to write-in candidates from Election Law - Title 15.
Methods for Filing Your Write-In Paperwork
Candidates may submit a Letter of Intent to any Division of Elections Office and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the fifth day prior to the General Election.
- In person – A Letter of Intent and Financial Disclosure Statement may be delivered in person to any
Division of Elections Office no later than 5:00 p.m. on the fifth day prior to the General Election.
- By mail – A Letter of Intent and Financial Disclosure Statement sent by mail must be received in any
Division of Elections Officeno later than 5:00 p.m. on the fifth day prior to the General Election.
- By fax – A Letter of Intent and Financial Disclosure Statement may be faxed to any Division of Elections Office and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the fifth day prior to the General Election.