Alaska Elections

Alaska court upholds Republican recount win in House race

Alaska court upholds Republican recount win in House race

The result of the House District 1 race in Fairbanks was challenged.

 

A piece of mailed campaign literature from the Republican Women of Juneau. (Courtesy Photo | Elizabeth Seliotes Bolling)

Opinion: Seller beware

Let this be the take-home message for the Republican Women of Juneau from their now-notorious attack mailer against Jesse Kiehl: it didn’t work. It was… Continue reading

 

A sign supporting Mike Dunleavy for governor is seen in September. The state of Alaska has settled a lawsuit brought by the ACLU, a Palmer man and a pro-Dunleavy group regarding political signs that violate the state’s anti-billboard law. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

State settles sign lawsuit brought by ACLU, pro-Dunleavy group

It’s an exit sign. On Tuesday, Anchorage Superior Court Judge Herman Walker Jr. approved a settlement concluding a lawsuit that challenged Alaska’s anti-billboard law. The… Continue reading

A sign supporting Mike Dunleavy for governor is seen in September. The state of Alaska has settled a lawsuit brought by the ACLU, a Palmer man and a pro-Dunleavy group regarding political signs that violate the state’s anti-billboard law. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Hector Mojica exits a voting booth at Glacier Valley Baptist Church on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Post-election blues

The political reality was an old story for Alaska Democrats.

Hector Mojica exits a voting booth at Glacier Valley Baptist Church on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Dr. Johnny Holland feeds his ballot into a counting machine while voting during a special election for mayor of Juneau at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library in 2016. The Alaska Division of Elections is considering new voting equipment statewide. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Southern Southeast votes still trickling in

‘Ender cards’ at fault, Division of Elections says.

Dr. Johnny Holland feeds his ballot into a counting machine while voting during a special election for mayor of Juneau at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library in 2016. The Alaska Division of Elections is considering new voting equipment statewide. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Former U.S. Senator Mark Begich, right, directs a question at former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, as Gov. Bill Walker listens during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon debate at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: I like Mike, but I’m not endorsing him for governor

I like Mike Dunleavy. I’ve considered him a friend. But Dunleavy for Alaska is running an ad that makes it seem I’m supporting him. I… Continue reading

Former U.S. Senator Mark Begich, right, directs a question at former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, as Gov. Bill Walker listens during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon debate at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: Begich’s positions belie believability

Opinion: Begich’s positions belie believability

Gubernatorial hopeful Mark Begich has strived to paint his candidacy and his priorities as the solution to revive our state economy. But many of his… Continue reading

Opinion: Begich’s positions belie believability
Election officials wait for voters in the Municipal Election at the Nugget Mall on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. Estimates indicate Alaska has registered 109 percent of its eligible voters. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska has more registered voters than eligible residents

Alaska likely has tens of thousands of extra people on its voting rolls.

Election officials wait for voters in the Municipal Election at the Nugget Mall on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. Estimates indicate Alaska has registered 109 percent of its eligible voters. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Alyse Galvin, Alaska’s independent candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, holds a town hall-style meeting to an overflowing room at Centennial Hall on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: I’m voting Alyse Galvin for real change

Time is running short. We have a chance to make a real change in Alaska by electing independent candidate Alyse Galvin for U.S. House. Her… Continue reading

Alyse Galvin, Alaska’s independent candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, holds a town hall-style meeting to an overflowing room at Centennial Hall on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s salmon seine fleet fills Amalga Harbor in July 2018. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire file)
Juneau’s salmon seine fleet fills Amalga Harbor in July 2018. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire file)
Why young people should vote

Why young people should vote

If you care about what happens in your life, go vote!

Why young people should vote
Opinion: Vote for who’s working for our future

Opinion: Vote for who’s working for our future

Thanks to Gov. Bill Walker for his four years of service. He really did his best to put Alaska first under some tough circumstances. On… Continue reading

Opinion: Vote for who’s working for our future
Opinion: Walker failed as governor

Opinion: Walker failed as governor

Walker’s PFD “tax” has hit those in the lower income range hardest.

Opinion: Walker failed as governor
Alyse Galvin, Alaska’s independent candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, holds a town hall-style meeting to an overflowing room at Centennial Hall on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Galvin is the change we need

I am so very proud and appreciative of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, for acting on principle rather than partisanship. She is a sharp contrast… Continue reading

Alyse Galvin, Alaska’s independent candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, holds a town hall-style meeting to an overflowing room at Centennial Hall on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Andi Story is running for Alaska House District 34. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: The real deal named Andi Story

I see Story’s approach as a strength, not a weakness.

Andi Story is running for Alaska House District 34. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: Speak for the salmon

Opinion: Speak for the salmon

It is our turn now to speak to future Alaskans and speak for the salmon we hope to entrust to them.

Opinion: Speak for the salmon
Jesse Kiehl, running as an Democrat for state Senate District Q, talks about his campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Kiehl’s experience makes him a strong candidate

I’m supporting Jesse Kiehl for Senate for a couple reasons. At a time when our Juneau delegation is all new, Kiehl brings the experience of… Continue reading

Jesse Kiehl, running as an Democrat for state Senate District Q, talks about his campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Election Day Trick-or-Treat

Election Day Trick-or-Treat

Imagine what would happen if Election Day fell on Halloween.

Election Day Trick-or-Treat
Opinion: Alaska, the most dangerous place to live. How did we let this happen?

Opinion: Alaska, the most dangerous place to live. How did we let this happen?

My journey with the effects of crime began in November 2016 when our Juneau car was stolen and spray painted red. The response from the… Continue reading

Opinion: Alaska, the most dangerous place to live. How did we let this happen?