Elections

A ballot box containing absentee ballots dropped off at Anchorage City Hall is seen on Aug. 19, 2024. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)

Progressive candidates show unusual strength in Alaska state legislative primaries

Near-record-low turnout has experts warning against drawing conclusions before November election.

A ballot box containing absentee ballots dropped off at Anchorage City Hall is seen on Aug. 19, 2024. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)
Voters walk across the map of Alaska on the floor of the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Two rural Alaska precincts fail to open for primary voting after workers don’t respond to state

Voting stations in Wales and Kaktovik never opened for the primary on Tuesday, according to the Alaska Division of Elections director. “Despite trying multiple ways… Continue reading

Voters walk across the map of Alaska on the floor of the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
A sign inside the Mendenhall Mall Annex points toward a polling place on Tuesday morning. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau voters cast ballots in U.S. House, state legislative races in Tuesday’s primary election

Top four finishers in House race advance to Nov. 5 general election; local legislators unopposed.

A sign inside the Mendenhall Mall Annex points toward a polling place on Tuesday morning. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
(City and Borough of Juneau photo)

My Turn: Supporting ‘Ship-Free Saturday’ is voting to take away other people’s income

How will you vote on Proposition #2 (no cruise ships on Saturdays)? Proponents of no-cruise Saturdays are sincere about their desire to roll back the… Continue reading

(City and Borough of Juneau photo)
A father and daughter share a private voting booth to fill out his official white ballot and her special green ballot on Saturday at the Mendenhall Mall Annex. Only the official ballot is processed. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Early voting continues during final weekend before Alaska’s primary election on Tuesday

U.S. House, state legislative races on ballot; top four finishers in each race advance to Nov. 5 election.

A father and daughter share a private voting booth to fill out his official white ballot and her special green ballot on Saturday at the Mendenhall Mall Annex. Only the official ballot is processed. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
A tracker used by the Alaska Division of Elections is seen on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 at the division’s offices in Juneau. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska elections officials plan to debut new ballot-tracking system with Aug. 20 primary

The Alaska Division of Elections is using a new tool this year in an attempt to avoid the kinds of ballot-counting problems that have occurred… Continue reading

A tracker used by the Alaska Division of Elections is seen on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 at the division’s offices in Juneau. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Republican businessperson Nick Begich III, Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola are among 12 candidates competing in the primary for the seat currently held by Peltola. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Peltola still holds fundraising cash advantage in U.S. House race, new figures show

Ahead of Alaska’s Aug. 20 primary election, incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola continues to hold a fundraising advantage against her 11 competitors, new filings… Continue reading

Republican businessperson Nick Begich III, Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola are among 12 candidates competing in the primary for the seat currently held by Peltola. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
A ballot and instructions for the 2024 Alaska primary election are seen on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Beacon voter guide: Answers to 15 questions by legislative, U.S. House candidates

Alaskans voting in the Aug. 20 primary election again have a resource to learn where the candidates stand on a wide range of issues: the… Continue reading

A ballot and instructions for the 2024 Alaska primary election are seen on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Poll workers set up an early voting statiion 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 pre-primary election turnout is down from extraordinary 2022 and 2020 primaries

Voter turnout ahead of Alaska’s Aug. 20 primary election is down from the past two elections but is running ahead of what it was in… Continue reading

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

Mail delays postpone the start of pre-Election Day voting in parts of rural Alaska

Democrats express worries about the effect on Mary Peltola’s campaign for U.S. House.

An early voting station is set up in the atrium of the State Office Building in Juneau, Alaska on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, the first day of early voting for the 2024 Alaska primary election. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The U.S. Capitol is seen on a cloudy day in an undated photo. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

As early voting opens in Alaska’s U.S. House race, current and former candidates talk about what’s at stake

State has only one seat in the House, but in closely divided Congress is one of few swing districts.

The U.S. Capitol is seen on a cloudy day in an undated photo. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

‘Neutral’ Ship-Free Saturdays voter FAQ published by city; advocates on both sides cite flaws

Document focuses on efforts CBJ is making to limit impacts, plus economic and legal scenarios

Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Volunteers operate an in-person polling place for the special U.S. House primary election on Friday, May 27, 2022 in the atrium of the State Office Building. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

What Alaskans need to know ahead of the Aug. 20 primary

By-mail voting has already begun, while early in-person voting starts on Aug. 5

Volunteers operate an in-person polling place for the special U.S. House primary election on Friday, May 27, 2022 in the atrium of the State Office Building. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jude Pate, right, asks a question during oral arguments in a case concerning correspondence education allotments, on June 27, 2024, in the Boney Courthouse in Anchorage. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)

After state judge keeps ranked choice repeal ballot measure, Alaska Supreme Court will weigh in

Supporters of Alaska’s ranked choice election system are asking the Alaska Supreme Court to rule on one final attempt to keep a repeal measure from… Continue reading

Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jude Pate, right, asks a question during oral arguments in a case concerning correspondence education allotments, on June 27, 2024, in the Boney Courthouse in Anchorage. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)
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)

Ranked choice voting repeal effort survived legal challenges, qualifies for the ballot in November

Alaska voters are slated to have an opportunity this year to affirm or repeal the state’s use of ranked choice voting, Division of Elections officials… 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)
U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, speaks on Jan. 4, 2024, at a town hall meeting on the possible Albertsons-Kroger grocery merger. The meeting was held at the Teamsters Local 959 headquarters in Anchorage. Peltola said on Tuesday she has not decided whether to support her party’s likely candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Rep. Mary Peltola withholds support for Kamala Harris, is ‘keeping an open mind’

Congresswoman says she’s considering Harris presidency’s affect on Alaska as an oil-dependent state.

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, speaks on Jan. 4, 2024, at a town hall meeting on the possible Albertsons-Kroger grocery merger. The meeting was held at the Teamsters Local 959 headquarters in Anchorage. Peltola said on Tuesday she has not decided whether to support her party’s likely candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Republican U.S. House candidate Nick Begich, with sign-holding supporters, waves to Midtown Anchorage motorists on Election Day in 2022. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Some Alaska Republican candidates pledge to withdraw if they aren’t atop GOP votes in primary

Pledges are a way to circumvent ranked choice voting, according to one supporter.

Republican U.S. House candidate Nick Begich, with sign-holding supporters, waves to Midtown Anchorage motorists on Election Day in 2022. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
President Biden at the White House on July 3. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

President Joe Biden drops out of race, scrambling the campaign for the White House

Withdraws under pressure from fellow Democrats; endorses Vice President Kamala Harris to take on Trump.

President Biden at the White House on July 3. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
Buttons on display at a campaign event Monday, July 8, 2024, in Juneau, urge supporters to vote against Ballot Measure 2, the repeal of Alaska’s current election system. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Ranked-choice repeal measure awaits signature count after Alaska judge’s ruling

Signatures must be recounted after judge disqualifies almost 3,000 names, citing state law violations.

Buttons on display at a campaign event Monday, July 8, 2024, in Juneau, urge supporters to vote against Ballot Measure 2, the repeal of Alaska’s current election system. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
(Getty Images)

Peltola leads Republican challengers in latest fundraising report for Alaska U.S. House race

The initial version of this article failed to include donations to candidates that were transfers from other political committees. Fundraising totals for all three candidates… Continue reading

(Getty Images)