Election

Young and Galvin get a rematch

Young and Galvin get a rematch

2018 race was decided by seven percentage points.

Young and Galvin get a rematch
Poll worker Dian Martin minds an early voting site in a state office building in Juneau, Alaska, on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020. Voting in Alaska will look a bit different amid the coronavirus pandemic, with election officials saying poll workers will be required to wear protective gear, such as masks, and will encourage voters to maintain social distance and wear masks. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Voting in Alaska will look different amid pandemic

A large number of requested mail-in ballots could mean some races won’t be settled on election night

Poll worker Dian Martin minds an early voting site in a state office building in Juneau, Alaska, on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020. Voting in Alaska will look a bit different amid the coronavirus pandemic, with election officials saying poll workers will be required to wear protective gear, such as masks, and will encourage voters to maintain social distance and wear masks. (AP Photo / Becky Bohrer)

Alaska fisheries ballot battle becomes more expensive

This year’s fish fight is already half as expensive as the 2014 ballot battle over Alaska’s oil and gas tax system. According to new filings… Continue reading

Juneau parades will be packed with political participants

In the first week of July 1776, John Adams sat down to write a letter to his wife about the Continental Congress’ recent adoption of… Continue reading

Former Alaska U.S. Senator Mark Begich greets and speaks to Juneau residents interested in his campaign for governor at the IBEW Local 1547 Union office on Thursday, June 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Mark Begich makes campaign stop in Juneau

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Begich made a campaign stop Thursday in Juneau, speaking to about 45 people at the local IBEW union hall. As attendees… Continue reading

Former Alaska U.S. Senator Mark Begich greets and speaks to Juneau residents interested in his campaign for governor at the IBEW Local 1547 Union office on Thursday, June 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Liz Snyder, candidate for House District 27, is seen in a May photo from her campaign. (Courtesy photo)

Ruling may allow more professors to campaign for office

The Alaska Public Offices Commission may approve a legal opinion today that could encourage University of Alaska professors to run for state office. In March,… Continue reading

Liz Snyder, candidate for House District 27, is seen in a May photo from her campaign. (Courtesy photo)
Zach Fansler

Former Alaska legislator Zach Fansler withdraws from Democratic primary

Former Alaska legislator Zach Fansler has officially dropped out of the race for Democratic primary for House District 38. Fansler sent a letter to Division… Continue reading

Zach Fansler
Chum salmon swim beneath the surface of Salmon Creek on Monday afternoon, Aug. 3, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Ballot measure opponents get financial boost

Some of Alaska’s biggest mines are putting more money into their fight against a pro-fisheries ballot initiative scheduled for this fall’s general election. According to… Continue reading

Chum salmon swim beneath the surface of Salmon Creek on Monday afternoon, Aug. 3, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Lt. Gov. nixes good governance ballot measure

Lt. Gov. nixes good governance ballot measure

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott on Friday removed a ballot measure from this fall’s statewide election, citing a “substantially similar” bill approved by the Alaska Legislature… Continue reading

Lt. Gov. nixes good governance ballot measure
James Hart and Tom Morphet are seen in courtesy photos. Hart is seen in a 2017 image provided by KHNS-FM radio in Haines. Morphet is seen in a headshot he provided on Tuesday. (Juneau Empire composite)

Two more jump into Alaska House Democratic primary

Two late entries in the race for Alaska House District 33 have made the contest one of the biggest in the state. Just before Friday’s… Continue reading

James Hart and Tom Morphet are seen in courtesy photos. Hart is seen in a 2017 image provided by KHNS-FM radio in Haines. Morphet is seen in a headshot he provided on Tuesday. (Juneau Empire composite)
Andi Story, with her husband, Mike, and son, Ryan, announces her run for the Mendenhall Valley house seat at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Thursday, May 31, 2018. ( Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Juneau school board member Andi Story will run for Valley House seat

Update: This story has been updated to include comments from Story’s announcement event Thursday afternoon. Juneau School Board member Andi Story is seeking higher office.… Continue reading

Andi Story, with her husband, Mike, and son, Ryan, announces her run for the Mendenhall Valley house seat at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Thursday, May 31, 2018. ( Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Former fishing company CEO Larry Cotter has announced he will withdraw his candidacy for Senate District Q. (Courtesy photo)

Candidate drops out of race to replace Sen. Dennis Egan

One of the three candidates running for the Alaska Senate seat covering northern Southeast has dropped out of the race. In an emailed statement Wednesday… Continue reading

Former fishing company CEO Larry Cotter has announced he will withdraw his candidacy for Senate District Q. (Courtesy photo)
Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, is seen in a 2016 file photo. (Juneau Empire file)

Reinbold, Saddler to clash in Alaska Senate race

Two incumbent Republicans in the Alaska House of Representatives will clash in a fall election for the Alaska Senate. On Thursday, Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle… Continue reading

Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, is seen in a 2016 file photo. (Juneau Empire file)
Jesse Kiehl, left, meets with supporters before his announcement to run for the Senate District Q seat in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, May 17, 2018. The seat is currently held by Sen. Dennis Egan who is not running for reelection. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau Assembly member Jesse Kiehl announces run for state senate

A crowd of about 60 people gathered in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday morning for the most expected news of the political… Continue reading

Jesse Kiehl, left, meets with supporters before his announcement to run for the Senate District Q seat in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, May 17, 2018. The seat is currently held by Sen. Dennis Egan who is not running for reelection. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Don Etheridge is running for the senate seat currently held by Sen. Dennis Egan. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Lobbyist seeks to run for Juneau’s state senate seat

Longtime Juneau resident and AFL-CIO lobbyist Don Etheridge is running for the Alaska Senate seat representing northern Southeast Alaska. On Sunday, Etheridge filed a letter… Continue reading

Don Etheridge is running for the senate seat currently held by Sen. Dennis Egan. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage (left) speaks to Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River (standing center), Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton (standing right) and Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River (seated) before the final vote Friday, May 11, 2018 on House Bill 44. (Brian Hild | Alaska House Majority)

Legislature will boot ballot measure if governor signs ‘government accountability’ bill

The Alaska Legislature has likely removed a ballot measure from this fall’s statewide election. In a 39-1 vote Friday night, the Alaska House of Representatives… Continue reading

Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage (left) speaks to Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River (standing center), Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton (standing right) and Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River (seated) before the final vote Friday, May 11, 2018 on House Bill 44. (Brian Hild | Alaska House Majority)
Alaska election officials respond to revealed hack attempt

Alaska election officials respond to revealed hack attempt

As the Alaska Legislature held a Thursday hearing examining the security state’s election system, the Alaska Division of Elections responded to claims that a hacker… Continue reading

Alaska election officials respond to revealed hack attempt
In a screenshot from a video feed provided by 360 North, justices of the Alaska Supreme Court hear oral arguments Thursday, April 26, 2018 on the case Mallott v. Stand for Salmon in Anchorage. (Video capture)

Alaska’s high court hears dispute over salmon ballot measure

The Alaska Supreme Court heard oral arguments Thursday in a case that will decide the fate of a pro-fisheries ballot initiative earmarked for the November… Continue reading

In a screenshot from a video feed provided by 360 North, justices of the Alaska Supreme Court hear oral arguments Thursday, April 26, 2018 on the case Mallott v. Stand for Salmon in Anchorage. (Video capture)
In this Nov. 8, 2016 photo, election volunteer Lily Hong Campbell hands William Grooms a voter sticker after he cast his ballot at AEL&P. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska GOP may seek courts’ help to keep unwanted candidates off the ballot

The Alaska Republican Party cannot prevent three lawmakers from appearing on election ballots as Republicans, the Alaska Division of Elections declared in a letter dated… Continue reading

In this Nov. 8, 2016 photo, election volunteer Lily Hong Campbell hands William Grooms a voter sticker after he cast his ballot at AEL&P. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, speaks at the Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Thursday, March 1, 2018. The forum is sponsored by The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. (MIchael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Rep. Justin Parish drops out of election; Assemblyman Rob Edwardson will run instead

Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, is dropping out of this fall’s election for the Alaska House of Representatives seat representing the Mendenhall Valley. One of his… Continue reading

Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, speaks at the Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Thursday, March 1, 2018. The forum is sponsored by The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. (MIchael Penn | Juneau Empire File)