Elections

Pins supporting the repeal of ranked choice voting are seen on April 20, 2024, at the Republican state convention in Anchorage. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska ranked choice voting repeal effort outraised a hundredfold, campaign finance filings show

This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Lesil McGuire’s name and note that campaign finance disclosures are made to the Alaska Public… Continue reading

Pins supporting the repeal of ranked choice voting are seen on April 20, 2024, at the Republican state convention in Anchorage. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
From left to right, Nick Begich, Republican candidate for U.S. House; Alaskan Independence Party candidate John Wayne Howe and Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, hold up paddles indicating their opposition to finfish farming in Alaska. Howe had jokingly looked at Begich’s paddle before making a decision. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

At U.S. House debate in Kodiak, candidates differ on future of Alaska fisheries

Begich emphasizes fighting for the state, Peltola focuses on building support in Congress.

From left to right, Nick Begich, Republican candidate for U.S. House; Alaskan Independence Party candidate John Wayne Howe and Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, hold up paddles indicating their opposition to finfish farming in Alaska. Howe had jokingly looked at Begich’s paddle before making a decision. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Republican challenger Nick Begich III and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola are on the stage at the beginning of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association’s candidate forum on Aug. 28, 2024. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska’s U.S. House candidates face each other three times in three days this week

Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, and her leading challenger, Republican U.S. House candidate Nick Begich, will appear on stage at three election forums and debates this… Continue reading

Republican challenger Nick Begich III and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola are on the stage at the beginning of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association’s candidate forum on Aug. 28, 2024. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)
An early voting station is set up in the atrium of the State Office Building on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, the first day of early voting for the 2024 Alaska primary election. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska records show no evidence of widespread noncitizen voting or registration

Trump and in-state Republicans have falsely claimed that noncitizens are voting in large numbers.

An early voting station is set up in the atrium of the State Office Building on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, the first day of early voting for the 2024 Alaska primary election. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
An early voting station is set up in the atrium of the State Office Building in Juneau on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, the first day of early voting for the 2024 Alaska primary election. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska’s voter registration deadline is Sunday, but most residents don’t need to worry

Sunday, Oct. 6, is the deadline to register as an Alaska voter for the November general election. Elections offices will be open from 10 a.m.… Continue reading

An early voting station is set up in the atrium of the State Office Building in Juneau on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, the first day of early voting for the 2024 Alaska primary election. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
A local-mail in ballot is deposited in a drop box. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Rodell has big money lead in mayor’s race, Hall tops Assembly candidates a week before Oct. 1 election

Ship-Free Saturday opponents remain dominant money presence with about $500K raised, $750K spent.

A local-mail in ballot is deposited in a drop box. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
(City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Opinion: School board and Assembly races offer necessary change

The Oct. 1 municipal election is shaping up as a referendum on changing the status quo. In the case of the school board it’s about… Continue reading

(City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Former Juneau Mayor Ken Koelsch in 2018. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Three strikes and a home run on Oct. 1 municipal election ballot

As a former U.S. government teacher, Juneau Assembly member and mayor, I usually start getting phone calls for information about voting (ballot issues especially) a… Continue reading

Former Juneau Mayor Ken Koelsch in 2018. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Senate Finance Committee takes public testimony on Senate Bill 114, on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at the Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Public hearings planned for Alaska’s minimum-wage and ranked choice repeal ballot measures

The state of Alaska will hold public hearings Monday and Tuesday on ballot measures that seek to raise the state’s minimum wage and repeal its… Continue reading

The Senate Finance Committee takes public testimony on Senate Bill 114, on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at the Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
A crowd of visitors tours the Mendenhall Glacier on Friday, July 21, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: I’m just trying to live here

Ship-Free Saturday (Proposition #2) on the Oct. 1 municipal ballot, is an attempt by a group of residents including me, who want to have one… Continue reading

A crowd of visitors tours the Mendenhall Glacier on Friday, July 21, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Ship-Free Saturday will have harmful effect on tourism statewide

Proposition 2 will damage Alaska tourism statewide. Vote no to keep this sustainable industry healthy As the CEO of the Alaska Travel Industry Association, I’m… Continue reading

Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Cruise ship tourists watch floatplanes taxi out in Gastineau Channel on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Cruise industry giving opponents of Ship-Free Saturday a dominant campaign cash advantage

Three cruise companies, Goldbelt give $275,000 of more than $300,000 raised; supporters raise $380.

Cruise ship tourists watch floatplanes taxi out in Gastineau Channel on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Candidates for the Juneau Board of Education gather at the KTOO studios on Wednesday night for a forum to discuss issues related to the Oct. 1 local election. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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Election 2024: Watch the Juneau Municipal Candidate Forum for Juneau School Board

Six candidates seeking three seats in Oct. 1 election participate in televised forum Wednesday.

Candidates for the Juneau Board of Education gather at the KTOO studios on Wednesday night for a forum to discuss issues related to the Oct. 1 local election. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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Juneau Assembly and mayoral candidates discuss issues involving the community of Douglas during a forum Sept. 8 at the Douglas Public Library. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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Local candidates agree on lots of big-picture issues, differ on details, at lots of forums

Housing, flooding, tourism among key issues so far; two more forums being broadcast this week.

Juneau Assembly and mayoral candidates discuss issues involving the community of Douglas during a forum Sept. 8 at the Douglas Public Library. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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Candidates for Juneau Assembly and mayor gather at the KTOO studios on Tuesday night for a forum to discuss issues related to the Oct. 1 local election. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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Election 2024: Watch the Juneau Municipal Candidate Forum for Mayor and Assembly

Eight candidates participate in one-hour forum Tuesday; school board candidate forum at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Candidates for Juneau Assembly and mayor gather at the KTOO studios on Tuesday night for a forum to discuss issues related to the Oct. 1 local election. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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The Alaska Division of Election’s director’s office in Juneau on Nov. 22, 2022. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Elections office in Juneau among those in more than dozen states to be mailed suspicious packages

Package for Juneau intercepted before delivery, no hazardous materials reported in incidents.

The Alaska Division of Election’s director’s office in Juneau on Nov. 22, 2022. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Passengers return to the Norwegian Sun on Oct. 25, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Figuring out the Ship-Free Saturday ballot initiative

Opponents of Proposition No. 2 — Ship-Free Saturday make many bold, reference-free claims on the purported impacts of the initiative. According to them Prop. 2… Continue reading

Passengers return to the Norwegian Sun on Oct. 25, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Assembly member Michelle Bonnet Hale smiles for a photo in November 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Consider realities of present vs. past on Ship-Free Saturday initiative

I write to encourage all Juneau residents to deeply consider the implications of their vote on the Ship-Free Saturday initiative on the October ballot. I… Continue reading

Assembly member Michelle Bonnet Hale smiles for a photo in November 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
John MacKinnon. (Courtesy photo)

My Turn: Supporting Angela Rodell for mayor due to financial expertise, questioning of status quo

I’m supporting Angela Rodell for mayor. Her experience as commissioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue, and then as executive director of the Alaska Permanent… Continue reading

John MacKinnon. (Courtesy photo)
The Alaska Supreme Court is seen in session on June 27 in Boney Courthouse in Anchorage. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Supreme Court rejects Democrats’ attempt to remove candidate from U.S. House ballot

Eric Hafner on ballot with Democrat Mary Peltola, Republican Nick Begich and AIP’s John Wayne Howe.

The Alaska Supreme Court is seen in session on June 27 in Boney Courthouse in Anchorage. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)