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Alaska's Primaries

Partisan Primary Types​

Democratic PartyRepublican Party
Presidential PrimariesState PrimariesPresidential PrimariesState Primaries
closed top-four closed top-four

Presidential and State Primaries Scheduling​

Consolidated Primaries: no

Alaska is one of the states that have not merged their presidential and state primaries. Alaska statutes does not provide candidate access to the primary election ballot for office of president and vice president. Therefore, the State of Alaska does not conduct a presidential primary. On a Presidential Election year, the recognized political parties in Alaska (currently the Alaska Democratic Party, Alaska Republican Party and the Alaskan Independence Party) select their presidential and vice presidential candidates in a manner prescribed by their party bylaws; typically by caucus at times scheduled by each individual party.

In the 2020 General election, voters passed a ballot initiative replacing the political party primary with a nonpartisan top four primary election system. There will be only one ballot per house district with all candidates regardless of political party or group affiliation. Voters will vote for one candidate in each race, regardless of the voter’s affiliation. The top four candidates for each race will advance to the general election. Alaska State and Presidential Primary elections typically follow a specific process:

Voting In Primaries​

  • Alaska has a closed Presidential primary system, meaning voters must register with a specific party to participate in that party's primary. However, the state holds open, top-four primaries for state and congressional offices. Eligible voters must register before the primary election. The deadline for registration is typically a few weeks before the primary date.

About Alaska's Top-Four Primary​

  • A Nonpartisan Pick One Primary is used to determine the top four vote getters that will advance to the General Election, regardless of political affiliation. In accordance with Alaska’s laws, a primary election candidate does not have to be a member of a political party or a political group, to run for office. If a candidate is registered as affiliated with a political party or group, it does not imply the candidate is nominated by, endorsed by, approved of, or associated with that particular party or group. Currently, there is one primary ballot

Presidential Primaries and Delegates Allocation Process​

The primary determines how many delegates each candidate will receive at the national party conventions. Delegates are typically allocated proportionally based on the percentage of votes a candidate receives. The delegates selected in the primary contribute to the state's delegation at the respective party's national convention. These delegates play a role in officially nominating the party's candidate for the presidential election.

Democratic PartyRepublican Party
Total Del. VotesPled.Unpled.Altern.Total Del. VotesPled.Unpled.Altern.
19 14 5 2 29 29 26

Democratic Party Primary Delegates Process​

Democratic Party's Delegates Allocation​

The Democratic Party in Alaska uses a proportional representation system based on the results of the Presidential Preference Election (Primary) for apportioning delegates to the Democratic National Convention.
In 2024, Alaska's Democratic party will send a total of 19 Delegate Votes and 2 Alternate Delegates to the DNC national convention. Of the 19 delegate votes, 14 Pledged Delegate Votes (9 District-level delegates, 3 At-Large, and 2 PLEOs) and 2 Automatic Delegate Votes. A Presidential Candidate must receive a 15% of vote of the total statewide vote in order to receive any delegates to the National Convention.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 9
  • At-large Delegates: 3
  • Pledged PLEOs Delegates: 2
  • Automatic Delegates - Unpledged PLEOs: 5
  • Alternate Delegates: 2

Automatic Delegates (Unpledged PLEOs - Super Delegates) Breakdown​

  • DNC Members: 4
  • Dem. Members of Congress: 1
  • Dem. Gorvernors: 0
  • Distinguished Party Leaders: 0

Republican Party Primary Delegates Process​

Republican Party's Delegates Allocation​

Alaska's Republican party will send a total of 29 Delegate Votes and 26 Alternate Delegates to the 2024 RNC national convention. 29 Pledged Delegate Votes (3 District-level delegates, 23 At-Large, and 3 RNC delegates). A Presidential Candidate must receive a 13% of vote of the total statewide vote in order to receive any delegates to the National Convention.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 3
  • At-large Delegates: 23
  • RNC Delegates: 3
  • Alternate Delegates: 26

NOTES​

This page contains primary election rules and Presidential Primary delegates allocation information on elections occurring across the country

Primary voting rules and delegate allocation apply to statewide partisan primary elections in most cases. However, check with your Town Clerk for primary voting guide as they may vary by town and political party.Please be advised that the information provided on this site is updated regularly but is subject to scheduling changes at the local level.

The information provided on the page was validated using the following resourses: