NOTE: thread’s election activities are strictly nonpartisan. thread does not support or oppose candidates, political parties, or ballot measures. Instead, thread wants Alaskans to have the information they need to participate in elections, and wants candidates seeking public office to understand the child care challenges facing families, communities, and Alaska’s workforce.
Alaska’s Primary Election is behind us, and now attention turns to the November 3 General Election.
In the coming months, candidates across Alaska will be talking with voters about the challenges facing their communities and what they hope to accomplish if elected. This is an important opportunity for families, child care professionals, employers, and advocates to make sure child care is part of those conversations.
It is also why thread is engaged in the 2026 election and committed to elevating the importance of child care as an issue that affects families, communities, and businesses.
thread’s role is to help ensure voters have access to information; Alaskans have the opportunity to participate, and candidates understand the child care issues affecting communities across the state.
Child care decisions are made by the people we elect
State and federal policymakers make decisions about child care funding, assistance for families, early educator support, workforce development, business incentives, regulations, and other policies that affect whether families can find and afford care and whether child care programs can remain open.
When parents cannot find reliable child care, they may have to miss work, reduce their hours, turn down a promotion, or leave the workforce entirely. Employers feel those impacts through recruitment challenges, absenteeism, and employee turnover. Communities rely on child care to support health care workers, teachers, military families, public safety employees, small businesses, and many other parts of Alaska’s workforce.
Child care is part of the basic infrastructure Alaska needs to work, grow, and compete.
Connect with the candidates running to represent you
If a candidate knocks on your door, attends a community event, participates in a forum, or speaks at a local meeting, ask them about child care.
Questions to consider asking:
- What do you see as the biggest child care challenge facing families in our community?
- What role should the state play in improving access to affordable child care?
- How would you support Alaska’s early educator workforce?
- How does child care fit into your plans for Alaska’s economy and workforce?
- What would you like to hear from families and child care professionals as you develop your positions?
Then share your own experience. Parents can explain what it has been like trying to find or afford care. Early educators can talk about what makes it difficult to remain in the profession. Child care programs can describe the challenges of keeping classrooms staffed and programs operating. Employers can explain how the shortage affects their ability to recruit and retain workers.
Being an advocate also means participating
Participating in elections is another important way to make your voice heard.
Start by checking your voter registration, learning who is running to represent you, understanding what will appear on your ballot, and planning to vote.
Key dates:
October 4 – The deadline to register to vote or update your registration
October 19 – Early voting begins
October 24 – The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail
Election Day is November 3, with polls open from 7 am to 8 pm.
Alaska’s General Election also uses ranked choice voting, allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference. The Alaska Division of Elections provides information explaining the process and what voters can expect from their ballots.
Resources for voters and candidates
thread created a central election webpage to make it easier for Alaskans to participate and for candidates to learn about child care.
Voters can:
- Check their registration
- Find information about registering or updating their information
- Learn about absentee and early voting
- Access official election information
Candidates can:
- Find resources that provide a deeper look at Alaska’s child care system and why it matters to our workforce, economy, families, and communities
- Read child care FAQs
- View thread’s presentation on the current state of child care in Alaska
- Read an executive summary describing the challenges facing Alaska’s early care and education system
Candidates who want to learn more can also connect directly with thread.
Make child care part of the conversation
The General Election is an opportunity for Alaskans to choose who will represent them and for candidates to hear about the issues that matter to their communities. Learn who is running, ask candidates about child care, share your experiences, and encourage others to participate. Then make a plan to vote.
When more Alaskans participate and speak up, child care and the needs of children and families are more likely to be heard and prioritized.