United Fishermen of Alaska launches 'I Vote Fish' campaign ahead of August 18 primary

The United Fishermen of Alaska launched its 2026 "I Vote Fish" campaign Tuesday, two days after the primary voter registration deadline closed, pointing fishers toward absentee and early voting options before the August 18 primary.

What Is at Stake

UFA said the elections will affect fisheries policy across the board. Alaska's governor appoints the ADF&G commissioner, names members to the Board of Fisheries, and sets the agenda for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. All state House seats and half of state Senate seats are on the 2026 ballot, along with Alaska's lone congressional seat, a two-year term, and one U.S. Senate seat.

"UFA's 2026 I Vote Fish campaign is now underway. By voting in the Primary and General elections, YOU are helping choose fisheries policy for the future. Alaska's governor decides who runs ADF&G, who sits on the Board of Fisheries, and who sets the agenda for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council."

Key Deadlines

The primary is a "pick one" election in which the top four candidates advance to the general election, which uses ranked-choice voting.

• Early and absentee in-person voting locations open August 3 through 17.

• The absentee by-mail request deadline is August 8.

• The electronic absentee request deadline is August 17.

• Primary Election Day is August 18, with polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Voters who missed the primary registration deadline can still register for the general election through October 4.