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Voting history · Alaska

Alaska

A dated list of changes to how Americans vote: district maps, polling places and drop boxes, voting laws and rules, and courts and election officials. Each entry says who did what and when, shows what became of it, and links to the page it rests on. Attempts that failed are listed as failed. Entries that rest on a news report name the outlet.

This is the state view: events recorded for Alaska, then national events that apply here. See the national timeline.

In Alaska

2026

  1. Apr 30, 2026 State Laws and rules Vetoed

    Governor vetoes bipartisan election bill that included ballot curing

    Alaska Public Media reported on April 30, 2026 that Governor Mike Dunleavy had vetoed Senate Bill 64, a bipartisan election bill, that Thursday, setting up an override vote. The bill would have set up ballot tracking and curing for absentee ballots. In a letter to legislators, Dunleavy said the ballot tracking and curing system could not be "responsibly built, tested, and deployed" before the November general election.

    Source last checked Oct 22, 2026

2025

  1. Dec 31, 2025 State Laws and rules Pending

    Repeal of ranked choice voting returns to the ballot for November 2026

    On December 31, 2025, Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom said the repeal petition, 24ESEG, was properly filed, with 42,837 qualified signatures across 40 house districts against a required 34,098 across 30. The initiative would restore party primaries and end ranked choice general elections, and the Lieutenant Governor's office said it would go on the November 3, 2026 ballot unless the Legislature acted. The Lieutenant Governor held public hearings on the measure, listed as Ballot Measure 2, on July 27 and August 5, 2026. The Division of Elections petitions page, as archived on October 15, 2026, lists it as "Will appear on General Election ballot."

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

2024

  1. Nov 5, 2024 State Laws and rules Failed

    Voters narrowly reject repeal of ranked choice voting

    A measure to repeal ranked choice voting was voted down in November 2024 by 737 votes out of 320,985 cast, according to Alaska Public Media. After a recount requested by the Alaska Republican Party, the Lieutenant Governor's office said on December 11, 2024 that the final tally was 160,973 against and 160,230 in favor, a margin of 743 votes, and that the certified results stood.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

2021

  1. Dec 8, 2021 County Laws and rules In effect

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Yup'ik language group in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2021 (86 FR 69611), lists Aleutians East Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Yup'ik. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  2. Dec 8, 2021 County Laws and rules In effect

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Filipino language group in Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2021 (86 FR 69611), lists Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Filipino. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  3. Dec 8, 2021 County Laws and rules In effect

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Yup'ik language group in Bethel Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2021 (86 FR 69611), lists Bethel Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Yup'ik. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  4. Dec 8, 2021 County Laws and rules In effect

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Yup'ik language group in Bristol Bay Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2021 (86 FR 69611), lists Bristol Bay Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Yup'ik. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  5. Dec 8, 2021 County Laws and rules In effect

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Yup'ik language group in Dillingham Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2021 (86 FR 69611), lists Dillingham Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Yup'ik. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  6. Dec 8, 2021 County Laws and rules In effect

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Yup'ik language group in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2021 (86 FR 69611), lists Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Yup'ik. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  7. Dec 8, 2021 County Laws and rules In effect

    Federal determination requires election materials for 2 language groups in Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2021 (86 FR 69611), lists Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Yup'ik; Filipino. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  8. Dec 8, 2021 County Laws and rules In effect

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Yup'ik language group in Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2021 (86 FR 69611), lists Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Yup'ik. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  9. Dec 8, 2021 County Laws and rules In effect

    Federal determination requires election materials for 2 language groups in Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2021 (86 FR 69611), lists Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Aleut; Yup'ik. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  10. Dec 8, 2021 County Laws and rules In effect

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Yup'ik language group in Nome Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2021 (86 FR 69611), lists Nome Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Yup'ik. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  11. Dec 8, 2021 County Laws and rules In effect

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Inupiat language group in North Slope Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2021 (86 FR 69611), lists North Slope Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Inupiat. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  12. Dec 8, 2021 County Laws and rules In effect

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Inupiat language group in Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2021 (86 FR 69611), lists Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Inupiat. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  13. Dec 8, 2021 County Laws and rules In effect

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Inupiat language group in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2021 (86 FR 69611), lists Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Inupiat. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

2020

  1. November 2020 State Laws and rules Enacted

    Voters narrowly approve ranked choice voting and open primaries

    Alaska voters narrowly approved Ballot Measure 2 in the November 2020 general election. It replaced party primaries with a single nonpartisan primary in which the top four advance, used ranked choice voting in the general election, and added campaign disclosure rules.

    Source last checked Oct 21, 2026

2016

  1. Dec 5, 2016 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 3 language groups in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2016 (81 FR 87532), lists Aleutians East Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Filipino; Hispanic; Yup'ik. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2021 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  2. Dec 5, 2016 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 2 language groups in Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2016 (81 FR 87532), lists Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Aleut; Filipino. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2021 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  3. Dec 5, 2016 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 2 language groups in Bethel Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2016 (81 FR 87532), lists Bethel Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Inupiat; Yup'ik. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2021 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  4. Dec 5, 2016 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Yup'ik language group in Bristol Bay Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2016 (81 FR 87532), lists Bristol Bay Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Yup'ik. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2021 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  5. Dec 5, 2016 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Yup'ik language group in Dillingham Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2016 (81 FR 87532), lists Dillingham Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Yup'ik. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2021 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  6. Dec 5, 2016 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Yup'ik language group in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2016 (81 FR 87532), lists Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Yup'ik. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2021 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  7. Dec 5, 2016 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Yup'ik language group in Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2016 (81 FR 87532), lists Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Yup'ik. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2021 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  8. Dec 5, 2016 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 2 language groups in Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2016 (81 FR 87532), lists Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Inupiat; Yup'ik. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2021 notice. The notice uses the county's former name, Wade Hampton Census Area; the Census Bureau's county-changes page records the change to Kusilvak Census Area, effective July 1, 2015.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  9. Dec 5, 2016 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Yup'ik language group in Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2016 (81 FR 87532), lists Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Yup'ik. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2021 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  10. Dec 5, 2016 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 2 language groups in Nome Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2016 (81 FR 87532), lists Nome Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Inupiat; Yup'ik. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2021 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  11. Dec 5, 2016 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Inupiat language group in North Slope Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2016 (81 FR 87532), lists North Slope Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Inupiat. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2021 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  12. Dec 5, 2016 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Inupiat language group in Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2016 (81 FR 87532), lists Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Inupiat. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2021 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  13. Dec 5, 2016 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Alaskan Athabascan language group in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2016 (81 FR 87532), lists Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Alaskan Athabascan. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2021 notice (86 FR 69611).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  14. Dec 5, 2016 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 2 language groups in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2016 (81 FR 87532), lists Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Alaskan Athabascan; Inupiat. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2021 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

2011

  1. Oct 13, 2011 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 2 language groups in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on October 13, 2011 (76 FR 63602), lists Aleutians East Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Asian (Filipino); Hispanic. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2016 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  2. Oct 13, 2011 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Asian (Filipino) language group in Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on October 13, 2011 (76 FR 63602), lists Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Asian (Filipino). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2016 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  3. Oct 13, 2011 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 2 language groups in Bethel Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on October 13, 2011 (76 FR 63602), lists Bethel Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Alaska Native (Inupiat); Alaska Native (Yup'ik). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2016 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  4. Oct 13, 2011 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Alaska Native (Yup'ik) language group in Dillingham Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on October 13, 2011 (76 FR 63602), lists Dillingham Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Alaska Native (Yup'ik). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2016 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  5. Oct 13, 2011 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 2 language groups in Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on October 13, 2011 (76 FR 63602), lists Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Alaska Native (Inupiat); Alaska Native (Yup'ik). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2016 notice. The notice uses the county's former name, Wade Hampton Census Area; the Census Bureau's county-changes page records the change to Kusilvak Census Area, effective July 1, 2015.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  6. Oct 13, 2011 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 2 language groups in Nome Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on October 13, 2011 (76 FR 63602), lists Nome Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Alaska Native (Inupiat); Alaska Native (Yup'ik). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2016 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  7. Oct 13, 2011 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 2 language groups in North Slope Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on October 13, 2011 (76 FR 63602), lists North Slope Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Alaska Native Tribe--Tribe not Specified; Alaska Native (Inupiat). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2016 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  8. Oct 13, 2011 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Alaska Native (Inupiat) language group in Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on October 13, 2011 (76 FR 63602), lists Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Alaska Native (Inupiat). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2016 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  9. Oct 13, 2011 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Alaska Native (Alaskan Athabascan) language group in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on October 13, 2011 (76 FR 63602), lists Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Alaska Native (Alaskan Athabascan). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2016 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

2002

  1. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Aleut language group in Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Aleut. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2011 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  2. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 3 language groups in Bethel Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Bethel Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Eskimo; American Indian (Tribe not specified); American Indian (Other Tribe specified). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2011 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  3. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Athabascan language group in Denali Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Denali Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Athabascan. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  4. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 3 language groups in Dillingham Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Dillingham Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Eskimo; American Indian (Other Tribe specified); Native (Other Group specified). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2011 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  5. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 2 language groups in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: American Indian (Tribe not specified); Aleut. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  6. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Filipino language group in Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Filipino. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  7. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 3 language groups in Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Eskimo; American Indian (Chickasaw); American Indian (Tribe not specified). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2011 notice. The notice uses the county's former name, Wade Hampton Census Area; the Census Bureau's county-changes page records the change to Kusilvak Census Area, effective July 1, 2015.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  8. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 3 language groups in Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Athabascan; Aleut; Eskimo. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  9. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the Eskimo language group in Nome Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Nome Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: Eskimo. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2011 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  10. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 2 language groups in North Slope Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists North Slope Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: American Indian (Tribe not specified); Eskimo. The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2011 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  11. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 2 language groups in Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Eskimo; Alaska Native (Other Group specified). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2011 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  12. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 2 language groups in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Athabascan; Native (Other Group specified). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  13. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 3 language groups in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: Athabascan; Eskimo; American Indian (Other Tribe specified). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county also appears in the 2011 notice.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

Nationwide

2026

  1. Aug 26, 2026 National Laws and rules Blocked by a court

    Postal Service issues final rule on ballot mail for federal elections

    The Postal Service's final rule "Ballot Mail for Federal Elections" was published August 26, 2026 and states that it is effective August 21, 2026. It says it responds to Executive Order 14399 and received "more than 200,000 responses" during the comment period. The rule says that, because of injunctions in two Massachusetts cases, the Postal Service "will not take actions to implement the rule specifically for the 2026 election" unless the government obtains relief from them. On September 13, 2026, a federal court in Washington granted preliminary injunctions against the rule.

    Source last checked Oct 31, 2026

  2. Jul 22, 2026 National Laws and rules Failed

    House passes bill with a photo-ID voting requirement; Senate cloture vote fails, 53-47, on September 30, 2026

    On July 22, 2026, the House passed H.R. 7008, the Stop Insider Trading Act, by 232 to 198 (Roll no. 280). Section 3 of the House-passed text is titled "Requiring voters to provide photo identification." On September 30, 2026, the Senate voted 53 to 47 on cloture on the motion to proceed, and the bill record says cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 253).

    Source last checked Oct 31, 2026

  3. Jun 2, 2026 National Laws and rules Proposed

    Postal Service proposes a rule on ballot mail for federal elections

    On June 2, 2026, the Postal Service published a proposed rule, "Ballot Mail for Federal Elections," to amend its Domestic Mail Manual on the transmission of mail-in or absentee ballots for federal elections. The final rule says the comment period closed on July 2, 2026.

    Source last checked Oct 31, 2026

  4. Mar 31, 2026 National Laws and rules In effect

    President signs Executive Order 14399 on citizenship verification and mail ballots

    Executive Order 14399, "Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections," is dated March 31, 2026 and was published in the Federal Register on April 3, 2026. Section 2 directs the Department of Homeland Security to compile and transmit to each state a "State Citizenship List." Section 3 directs the Postmaster General to begin a rulemaking on mail-in and absentee ballots within 60 days. Courts later enjoined parts of the Postal Service rule that followed.

    Source last checked Oct 31, 2026

  5. Feb 11, 2026 National Laws and rules Failed

    House passes SAVE America Act text as an amendment to S. 1383, 218-213

    On February 11, 2026, the House passed S. 1383 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, by 218 to 213 (Roll no. 69). The House-passed text is titled the "SAVE America Act." On March 17, 2026, the Senate agreed 51 to 48 to a motion to proceed to the House message on S. 1383 (Record Vote 57). On March 21, 2026, a cloture vote on a related motion was "not invoked" by 41 to 49 (Record Vote 61). The bill record lists no final Senate vote, and it did not become law.

    Source last checked Oct 31, 2026

2025

  1. Nov 24, 2025 National Laws and rules In effect

    Postal Service adds a Domestic Mail Manual section defining postmarks

    On November 24, 2025, the Postal Service published a final rule adding section 608.11, "Postmarks and Postal Possession," to the Domestic Mail Manual, effective December 24, 2025. It says the new language "does not change any existing postal operations or postmarking practices" and is intended to improve public understanding of postmarks and the date of mailing.

    Source last checked Oct 31, 2026

  2. Apr 10, 2025 National Laws and rules Failed

    House passes SAVE Act, 220-208; Senate does not act

    On April 10, 2025, the House passed H.R. 22, the SAVE Act, by 220 to 208 (Roll no. 102). The bill was received in the Senate the same day; the bill record lists no later action, and it did not become law.

    Source last checked Oct 31, 2026

  3. Mar 25, 2025 National Laws and rules In effect

    President signs Executive Order 14248 on federal elections

    Executive Order 14248, "Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections," is dated March 25, 2025 and was published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2025. Section 2 is titled "Enforcing the Citizenship Requirement for Federal Elections," Section 4 "Improving the Election Assistance Commission," and Section 7 "Compliance with Federal Law Setting the National Election Day." Courts later enjoined parts of it.

    Source last checked Oct 31, 2026

2022

  1. Dec 29, 2022 National Laws and rules Enacted

    Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 becomes law

    Division P of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328, signed December 29, 2022) may be cited as the "Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022." Title I may be cited as the "Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022."

    Source last checked Oct 29, 2026

  2. Jan 19, 2022 National Laws and rules Failed

    Senate cloture on the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act fails, 49-51

    On January 19, 2022, the Senate voted 49 to 51 on cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to H.R. 5746, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, and cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 9). The bill record also lists a motion by Senator Schumer to appeal the ruling of the chair as "not agreed to," on the question "Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the Senate," by 52 to 48 (Record Vote 10). The bill did not become law.

    Source last checked Oct 31, 2026

2021

  1. Oct 20, 2021 National Laws and rules Failed

    Senate vote to begin debate on the Freedom to Vote Act fails, 49-51

    On October 20, 2021, the Senate voted 49 to 51 on cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2747, the Freedom to Vote Act. The bill record says cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 420). The bill did not become law.

    Source last checked Oct 31, 2026

  2. Aug 24, 2021 National Laws and rules Failed

    House passes John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act; Senate cloture vote on November 3, 2021 is 50-49 and fails

    On August 24, 2021, the House passed H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021, by 219 to 212 (Roll no. 260). On November 3, 2021, a Senate vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to the companion bill, S. 4, was 50 to 49 and cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 459). Neither bill became law.

    Source last checked Oct 31, 2026

  3. Mar 3, 2021 National Laws and rules Failed

    For the People Act of 2021 passes the House; Senate committee discharge vote is 50-49 and the bill stalls

    On March 3, 2021, the House passed H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2021, by 220 to 210 (Roll no. 62). On June 22, 2021, the Senate voted 50 to 50 (Roll call 246) on cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2093, the For the People Act of 2021, which required 3/5 of the Senate; the Senate roll call records the result as "Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected." On August 11, 2021, the Senate voted 50 to 49 to discharge its Rules and Administration Committee from the companion bill, S. 1 (Roll call 358). The bill records list no Senate vote on passage, and neither bill became law.

    Source last checked Oct 22, 2026

2019

  1. Dec 6, 2019 National Laws and rules Failed

    House passes Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019; no Senate vote follows

    On December 6, 2019, the House passed H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019, by 228 to 187 (Roll no. 654). It was received in the Senate on December 9, 2019 and referred to the Judiciary Committee; the bill record lists no Senate vote, and it did not become law.

    Source last checked Oct 31, 2026

  2. Mar 8, 2019 National Laws and rules Failed

    House passes For the People Act of 2019; no Senate vote follows

    On March 8, 2019, the House passed H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2019, by 234 to 193 (Roll no. 118). The bill was received in the Senate on March 12, 2019 and placed on the Senate calendar; the bill record lists no Senate vote on passage, and it did not become law.

    Source last checked Oct 29, 2026

2018

  1. Sep 12, 2018 National Laws and rules In effect

    President signs Executive Order 13848 on foreign interference in U.S. elections

    Executive Order 13848, dated September 12, 2018, imposes sanctions authority in the event of foreign interference in a U.S. election. The order says "there has been no evidence of a foreign power altering the outcome or vote tabulation in any United States election" and declares a national emergency over the threat of interference.

    Source last checked Nov 1, 2026

2009

  1. Oct 28, 2009 National Laws and rules Enacted

    Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act becomes law

    Section 575 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84, dated October 28, 2009) may be cited as the "Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act." It adds a requirement that states transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter not later than 45 days before a federal election, when the request is received at least 45 days before it.

    Source last checked Oct 29, 2026

2006

  1. Jul 27, 2006 National Laws and rules Enacted

    Voting Rights Act reauthorized and amended in 2006

    Public Law 109-246, dated July 27, 2006, may be cited as the "Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006." Among other changes it amended Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act and replaced the references to the 1982 amendments in Section 4(a).

    Source last checked Oct 29, 2026

2002

  1. Oct 29, 2002 National Laws and rules Enacted

    Help America Vote Act of 2002 becomes law

    Public Law 107-252, dated October 29, 2002, is titled, in part, "To establish a program to provide funds to States to replace punch card voting systems, to establish the Election Assistance Commission" to assist in the administration of federal elections, and "to establish minimum election administration standards for States and units of local government with responsibility for the administration of Federal elections."

    Source last checked Oct 29, 2026

1993

  1. May 20, 1993 National Laws and rules Enacted

    National Voter Registration Act of 1993 becomes law

    Public Law 103-31, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, is dated May 20, 1993. The law states its purpose as "to establish procedures that will increase the number of eligible citizens who register to vote in elections for Federal office."

    Source last checked Oct 29, 2026

1986

  1. Aug 28, 1986 National Laws and rules Enacted

    Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act becomes law

    Public Law 99-410, dated August 28, 1986, may be cited as the "Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act." Its subject is voting in federal elections by members of the uniformed services and by citizens living overseas.

    Source last checked Oct 29, 2026

1982

  1. Jun 29, 1982 National Laws and rules Enacted

    Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1982 become law

    Public Law 97-205, dated June 29, 1982, rewrote Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act to bar any practice "imposed or applied by any State or political subdivision in a manner which results in a denial or abridgement of the right of any citizen of the United States to vote on account of race or color." It also provided that a section 4 provision expires "at the end of the twenty-five-year period following the effective date" of the 1982 amendments.

    Source last checked Oct 29, 2026

1975

  1. Aug 6, 1975 National Laws and rules Enacted

    Voting Rights Act extended in 1975, with language-minority protections

    Public Law 94-73, dated August 6, 1975, is titled "To amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to extend certain provisions for an additional seven years, to make permanent the ban against certain prerequisites to voting, and for other purposes." It also provides that no voting qualification may be imposed "to deny or abridge the right of any citizen of the United States to vote because he is a member of a language minority group."

    Source last checked Oct 29, 2026

1971

  1. Jul 1, 1971 National Laws and rules Enacted

    26th Amendment ratified: voting age of 18

    The National Archives lists the 26th Amendment as passed by Congress on March 23, 1971, and ratified on July 1, 1971. It reads: "The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age."

    Source last checked Oct 29, 2026

1970

  1. Jun 22, 1970 National Laws and rules Enacted

    Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1970 become law

    Public Law 91-285, dated June 22, 1970, is titled "To extend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with respect to the discriminatory use of tests, and for other purposes." It may be cited as the Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1970.

    Source last checked Oct 29, 2026

1965

  1. Aug 6, 1965 National Laws and rules Enacted

    Voting Rights Act of 1965 signed into law

    President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law on August 6, 1965. The National Archives says the act outlawed the discriminatory voting practices adopted in many southern states after the Civil War.

    Source last checked Oct 29, 2026

How this timeline is built

Every entry rests on at least one source that was opened and read, and that source states the date and the fact. Courts, legislatures, election offices, the Justice Department, the Census Bureau, the Federal Register and Congress.gov come first. A news report is used only when no official page states the fact, and it is labeled with the outlet's name. Encyclopedias are not used as sources. History starts in 1965 with the Voting Rights Act. County names come from the Census Bureau's 2024 Gazetteer. Congressional district numbers are those in use for the 2026 election; an event is tagged to a district only when its source names that congressional district.

When a later event changes an earlier one, such as a law later struck down, both entries are listed and point to each other. This page does not predict outcomes or say which party a change helps. U.S. House maps for 2026 · How people voted in past elections, by county · Back to the 2026 voting center.