Election 2022
North to the future? Alaska’s ranked choice voting system is praised and criticized nationally
Alaska’s ranked choice voting system, which was in place for victories for the first Democratic U.S. House member in half a century and the reelection of one of the last remaining moderate Republican U.S. senators, has become a test case for a nation struggling with political polarization. To fans, Alaska’s system shows how voters can […]
Alaska campaign regulator fines political group with ties to university official and state attorney general
The Alaska Public Offices Commission has fined a group active in last year’s legislative elections $2,525 for failing to properly disclose its financial dealings. The group, Alaska Policy Partners, attacked moderate Republican and Democratic candidates during the election, spending $210,000 with a Utah-based firm called Massey Political Consulting that wasn’t licensed to work in Alaska. […]
No budget deal yet as Alaska Legislature prepares for the end of its regular session
The Alaska Senate ended the penultimate regular day of the state’s legislative session without advancing work on the operating budget needed to avoid a government shutdown on July 1. Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, said the session may end on Wednesday without a vote on the Senate’s proposed $6.2 billion “take-it-or-leave-it” budget. The Senate will […]
Alaska Legislature rejects governor’s pick for university board; all other nominees accepted
The Alaska Legislature approved all but one of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s picks for state boards and commissions in a once-per-year joint session of the state House and Senate on Tuesday. The lone person who did not get the Legislature’s approval was Bethany Marcum, who had been nominated for a seat on the University of Alaska’s […]
Al Gross should have stayed on U.S. House ballot, Alaska Supreme Court says
The Alaska Division of Elections improperly removed Al Gross, an independent candidate for U.S. House, from last year’s special election ballot, the Alaska Supreme Court said in a ruling published Friday. Gross withdrew from the race after finishing third among 48 candidates in the special primary election that was the first step in filling the […]
Kenai Peninsula Borough will pay to settle complaint against former governor candidate Pierce
Former Republican governor candidate and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce will not have to pay out of pocket to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by a former aide. On Tuesday evening, the Borough Assembly said the borough will pay more than $206,000 to the aide, Pam Wastell, and a borough-owned insurance policy will […]
Alaska Supreme Court rules in favor of Jennie Armstrong, clearing her to serve in Legislature
The Alaska Supreme Court has upheld the eligibility of Rep.-elect Jennie Armstrong, D-Anchorage, to serve in the state Legislature. In a summary decision issued Friday, three of the court’s justices voted 2-1 to uphold a lower-court decision in Armstrong’s favor. The justices did not provide an immediate explanation for their decision; one will be published […]
Alaska Supreme Court will hear challenge to Anchorage Democrat’s legislative eligibility
A Superior Court ruling that upheld the legislative eligibility of Rep.-elect Jennie Armstrong, D-Anchorage, is being appealed to the Alaska Supreme Court. Late Tuesday, defeated Republican candidate Liz Vazquez and four supporters filed the appeal with the state’s high court, asking justices to overturn the Monday decision by Judge Herman Walker. The Alaska Legislature convenes […]
Judge upholds Anchorage Democrat’s eligibility after legal challenge from defeated Republican
An Alaska Superior Court judge has ruled against a challenge to Rep.-elect Jennie Armstrong’s eligibility, clearing the way for the Anchorage Democrat to take office when the Legislature convenes Jan. 17 in Juneau. “Based upon the subjective and objective evidence presented at trial and the credibility of the witnesses, the court finds that Armstrong meets […]
Don’t Vote for Just One: Ranked Choice Voting Is Gaining Ground
Last month, voters in Nevada, Seattle and at least six other jurisdictions around the country approved measures to change how they elect their leaders. Instead of voting for just one candidate, they instead will rank a slate of candidates. Ranked choice voting has seen steady success in recent years. Nationwide, 62 jurisdictions have adopted the […]
Anchorage state House recount doesn’t change outcome, as Republican incumbent McKay keeps lead
The results of the Dec. 8 recount did not change the certified winner of the House District 15 race in Anchorage, the state’s closest race of the November election. Anchorage Republican incumbent Rep. Tom McKay still led Democratic challenger Denny Wells, after results were announced Thursday afternoon. McKay’s lead grew as a result of the […]
Judge hears arguments on whether to dismiss Eastman eligibility lawsuit
Attorneys representing the Alaska Division of Elections and Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, urged an Anchorage Superior Court judge on Thursday to dismiss a lawsuit challenging Eastman’s eligibility for office and avoid a trial intended to determine whether Eastman has violated a Red Scare-era loyalty clause in the Alaska Constitution. After more than an hour of […]