Josie Bahnke, director of the Alaska Division of Elections, writes down vote totals in Juneau, Alaska, on Monday, Sept. 12, 2016. A recount was being conducted in the the House District 40 primary race between incumbent Rep. Ben Nageak and his Democratic challenger, Dean Westlake. (Michael Penn of the Juneau Empire via AP).

Josie Bahnke, director of the Alaska Division of Elections, writes down vote totals in Juneau, Alaska, on Monday, Sept. 12, 2016. A recount was being conducted in the the House District 40 primary race between incumbent Rep. Ben Nageak and his Democratic challenger, Dean Westlake. (Michael Penn of the Juneau Empire via AP).

Nageak files lawsuits against state officials over election

ANCHORAGE — The losing incumbent in a northern Alaska state legislative race has filed two lawsuits against state elections officials, alleging illegal procedures were followed.

KTVA-TV reported Democrat Benjamin Nageak filed the lawsuits Friday against Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott and Division of Elections Director Josie Bahnke over the House District 40 race.

A recount confirmed challenger Dean Westlake won the race by eight votes, after initial certified results showed Westlake leading by four votes.

Attorneys for Nageak allege voters in more than one precinct were illegally given both a Republican ballot and a Democrat ballot.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 17

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree reaches Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Nov. 20, to much celebration. (U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree photo)
Santa’s truck-driving helpers are east bound and down to Washington, DC

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree completes multiweek cross-country journey from Wrangell.

The Palmer project would sit in the watershed of the Chilkat River, pictured here. (Scott McMurren/Flickr under Creative Commons license 2.0)
Japanese smelting giant pulls out of major Southeast Alaska mining project

Palmer development, above the salmon-bearing Chilkat River, has for years fueled political divisions.

Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
JPD’s daily incident reports getting thinner and vaguer. Why and does it matter?

Average of 5.12 daily incidents in October down from 10.74 a decade ago; details also far fewer.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, Nov. 18, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The Douglas Island Breeze In on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
New owner seeks to transfer Douglas Island Breeze In’s retail alcohol license to Foodland IGA

Transfer would allow company to take over space next to supermarket occupied by Kenny’s Liquor Market.

A butter clam. Butter clams are found from the Aleutian Islands to the California coast. They are known to retain algal toxins longer than other species of shellfish. (Photo provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Among butter clams, which pose toxin dangers to Alaska harvesters, size matters, study indicates

Higher concentrations found in bigger specimens, UAS researchers find of clams on beaches near Juneau.

Most Read