Election

A Municipality of Anchorage vote-by-mail drop box is seen in an undated photo. (Maria Athens | For the Juneau Empire)

After Anchorage success, state considers whether Alaska is ready for elections by mail

By the numbers alone, Anchorage’s first election held by mail has been a smashing success. Election Day was Tuesday, and almost 80,000 votes have already… Continue reading

A Municipality of Anchorage vote-by-mail drop box is seen in an undated photo. (Maria Athens | For the Juneau Empire)
Alaska Gov. Bill Walker (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska Supreme Court allows independents into Dems’ primary

Correction: An earlier version of this article said Alyse Galvin was a former school teacher. Galvin worked as a substitute teacher for a period, not… Continue reading

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Bill advancing in Alaska Senate could nix ‘good governance’ ballot measure

A bill is advancing in the Alaska Senate that has the potential to overwrite a ballot initiative planned for this fall’s election. On Tuesday evening,… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Juneau Rep. Sam Kito III will not run for re-election in 2018

Rep. Sam Kito III ended months of speculation in a Monday interview with the Juneau Empire by declaring he will not run for re-election this… Continue reading

In this March 20, 2017, file photo, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., center, flanked by the committee’s ranking member Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., left, and Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., listens on Capitol Hill in Washington during the committee’s hearing on allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Feds reject NBC report on Russia’s election hacking

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is criticizing a Tuesday NBC news report declaring that Russians penetrated the security of the Alaska Division of Elections… Continue reading

In this March 20, 2017, file photo, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., center, flanked by the committee’s ranking member Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., left, and Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., listens on Capitol Hill in Washington during the committee’s hearing on allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
In this 2010 file photo, businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, left, shows Russian President Vladimir Putin, around his factory which produces school means, outside St. Petersburg, Russia. One of those indicted in the Russia probe is a businessman with ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP | File)

NBC report claims Russian penetration of Alaska elections

If the Department of Homeland Security has evidence that Russian agents electronically penetrated Alaska’s election system, the agency hasn’t shared that information with the State… Continue reading

In this 2010 file photo, businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, left, shows Russian President Vladimir Putin, around his factory which produces school means, outside St. Petersburg, Russia. One of those indicted in the Russia probe is a businessman with ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP | File)
Chris Dimond of Douglas is seen in an undated photo. (Courtesy photo)

Great-grandson of territorial Congressman seeks election to Alaska House

With incumbent Rep. Sam Kito III still undecided on re-election, a second person has announced their intention to seek the statehouse seat representing Haines, Skagway,… Continue reading

Chris Dimond of Douglas is seen in an undated photo. (Courtesy photo)
Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau

Egan will not run for re-election

Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, will not run for re-election. Egan made the announcement, which had been expected, in a Tuesday morning interview on KINY-AM, one… Continue reading

Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau
Senator Egan

Juneau man files to run for state senate

A Juneau man is seeking to run for the Alaska Senate seat held by Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau. Larry Cotter of Thane Road filed a… Continue reading

Senator Egan
In this April 3, 2017 photo, Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, right, listens to David Teal, fiscal analyst for the Alaska Legislature, during a Senate Finance Committee meeting at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy wins Juneau Republicans’ straw poll

Former state Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, has won a straw poll of Republican candidates for governor. The straw poll was conducted across two gubernatorial forums… Continue reading

In this April 3, 2017 photo, Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, right, listens to David Teal, fiscal analyst for the Alaska Legislature, during a Senate Finance Committee meeting at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Governor candidate Scott Hawkins delivers his introduction during a GOP candidate forum at the Prospector Hotel on Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘Three Mikes and a Scott’: Republican gubernatorial candidates gather in Juneau

Juneau Republicans got their first look at their options for governor and lieutenant this year as the Juneau Republican Women hosted an hourlong lunchtime forum… Continue reading

Governor candidate Scott Hawkins delivers his introduction during a GOP candidate forum at the Prospector Hotel on Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage, left, looks on as Carol Thompson with the state Division of Elections in Anchorage, unseals boxes containing more than 45,000 signatures, Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Elections workers will have to verify the signatures before the measure is approved for the ballot. (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press)

Two measures still on track for 2018 ballot

The backers of two ballot measures are turning in their required signatures to the Alaska Division of Elections, keeping the measures on track for a… Continue reading

Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage, left, looks on as Carol Thompson with the state Division of Elections in Anchorage, unseals boxes containing more than 45,000 signatures, Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Elections workers will have to verify the signatures before the measure is approved for the ballot. (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press)

Two healthcare ballot initiatives for 2018 have been canceled

A pair of health care ballot initiatives seeking a place in Alaska’s 2018 election are dead for now. On Monday, Healthcare for Alaska and Defend… Continue reading

PFD voter program sends first mailers this week

Thanks to a ballot measure approved last year, about 75,000 Alaskans will receive a mailer from the Alaska Division of Elections this week. The mailer… Continue reading

Mallott approves two health care ballot measures

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott has approved two health care-related ballot measures, an act that allows backers to begin gathering signatures to put them on the… Continue reading

Petitioners try again to put salmon on the ballot

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott has said no, but backers of a pro-salmon ballot measure are trying to go over his head. On Tuesday in Anchorage,… Continue reading

Businessman and activist Scott Hawkins is running for the Republican nomination for governor in 2018. Scott Hawkins campaign

Businessman and activist Scott Hawkins files for governor

Anchorage businessman and political activist Scott Hawkins has joined the race for Alaska governor. According to the Alaska Public Offices Commission, Hawkins filed a letter… Continue reading

Businessman and activist Scott Hawkins is running for the Republican nomination for governor in 2018. Scott Hawkins campaign
State attorneys Elizabeth Bakalar, foreground left, and Margaret Paton-Walsh, foreground right, listen to arguments made by attorney Jon Choate on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017 in Alaska Superior Court in Juneau. At background left is Judge Philip Pallenberg, who is expected to decide the Alaska Democratic Party’s lawsuit against the state next week. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Democrats fight in court to put independents on their primary ballot

For state attorney Margaret Paton-Walsh, it’s a Jenga tower waiting to collapse. For Alaska Democratic Party attorney Jon Choate, it’s the solemn decision of an… Continue reading

State attorneys Elizabeth Bakalar, foreground left, and Margaret Paton-Walsh, foreground right, listen to arguments made by attorney Jon Choate on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017 in Alaska Superior Court in Juneau. At background left is Judge Philip Pallenberg, who is expected to decide the Alaska Democratic Party’s lawsuit against the state next week. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Sockeye salmon splash their way up Steep Creek in 2012. Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott has rejected a ballot initiative that would have made it more difficult to build projects that affect salmon streams. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Mallott kills fish measure

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott has rejected a proposed pro-fisheries ballot initiative as inappropriately restricting the powers of the Alaska Legislature. On Tuesday morning, the lieutenant… Continue reading

Sockeye salmon splash their way up Steep Creek in 2012. Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott has rejected a ballot initiative that would have made it more difficult to build projects that affect salmon streams. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
In this March 2016 photo, Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, questions Dr. Susan McCauley, Interim Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, during a Senate Education Committee on SB 191 at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy quits governor’s race; Huggins is in

There’s been a shakeup in the Republican lineup for the 2018 governor’s race. On Tuesday morning, Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, announced that he is suspending… Continue reading

In this March 2016 photo, Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, questions Dr. Susan McCauley, Interim Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, during a Senate Education Committee on SB 191 at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)