Elections

Bill Thomas, a lifelong Chilkat resident and former state lawmaker, has filed as a candidate for the District 3 House seat that includes the northern half of Juneau on Wednesday. (Alaska State Legislature photo)

Former Haines lawmaker Bill Thomas challenging Rep. Andi Story for District 3 House seat

Challenger served in Legislature from 2005-13, been a lobbyist and commercial fisherman for decades.

Bill Thomas, a lifelong Chilkat resident and former state lawmaker, has filed as a candidate for the District 3 House seat that includes the northern half of Juneau on Wednesday. (Alaska State Legislature photo)
Campaign buttons urging Alaskans to repeal ranked choice voting in Alaska sit on a picnic table at the home of Phil Izon, a backer of the initiative, in Wasilla, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 14. Arguments are scheduled May 28 in a lawsuit challenging the state Division of Election’s decision to certify the initiative for placement on the ballot this year. (Mark Thiessen / AP)

Ranked-choice voting has challenged the status quo. Its popularity will be tested in November

Arguments scheduled Tuesday in Alaska lawsuit involving ballot initiative repealing RCV.

  • May 25, 2024
  • By Becky Bohrer and Rebecca Boone Associated Press
  • NewsElections
Campaign buttons urging Alaskans to repeal ranked choice voting in Alaska sit on a picnic table at the home of Phil Izon, a backer of the initiative, in Wasilla, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 14. Arguments are scheduled May 28 in a lawsuit challenging the state Division of Election’s decision to certify the initiative for placement on the ballot this year. (Mark Thiessen / AP)
Fay Herold, a delegate at the Alaska Democratic Party’s state convention, expresses concerns about a proposed change to the party’s platform on Saturday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Alaska Democrats gather in Juneau to make party plans for national convention in Chicago

Peltola, national party chairman among speakers; delegates get advice from protester at 1968 event.

Fay Herold, a delegate at the Alaska Democratic Party’s state convention, expresses concerns about a proposed change to the party’s platform on Saturday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Deputy Mayor Michelle Bonnet Hale (left) talks with Assembly members (from right to left) Alicia Hughes-Skandijs, Wáahlaal Gíidaak Barbara Blake and Ella Adkison following an Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday night. Hale and Blake, whose terms expire this fall, say they are not seeking reelection. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Two Assembly members say they won’t seek reelection ahead of annual ‘run for office’ workshop

Michelle Bonnet Hale and Wáahlaal Gíidaak Barbara Blake cite family and time considerations.

Deputy Mayor Michelle Bonnet Hale (left) talks with Assembly members (from right to left) Alicia Hughes-Skandijs, Wáahlaal Gíidaak Barbara Blake and Ella Adkison following an Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday night. Hale and Blake, whose terms expire this fall, say they are not seeking reelection. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A welcome sign is shown Sept. 22, 2021, in Tok. President Joe Biden won Alaska’s nominating contest on Saturday. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Biden wins more delegates in Alaska and Wyoming as he heads toward Democratic nomination

President Joe Biden nudged further ahead in the Democratic nomination for reelection by winning party contests in Wyoming and Alaska. As two of the least… Continue reading

  • Apr 14, 2024
  • By Becky Bohrer and Mead Gruver, Associated Press
  • NewsElections
A welcome sign is shown Sept. 22, 2021, in Tok. President Joe Biden won Alaska’s nominating contest on Saturday. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
This July 28, 2022, photo shows a person completing a ballot in a mock election at Cafecito Bonito in Anchorage, where people ranked the performances by drag performers, one of the education efforts about ranked choice voting in elections that year. (Mark Thiessen/AP file photo)

Lawsuit asks judge to disqualify ballot measure that seeks to repeal Alaska’s ranked voting system

Three Alaska voters have filed a lawsuit seeking to disqualify a ballot measure that aims to repeal the state’s open primary and ranked vote elections… Continue reading

This July 28, 2022, photo shows a person completing a ballot in a mock election at Cafecito Bonito in Anchorage, where people ranked the performances by drag performers, one of the education efforts about ranked choice voting in elections that year. (Mark Thiessen/AP file photo)
Voters line up on Tuesday during Alaska’s Republican Presidential Preference Poll. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Former President Donald Trump wins Alaska Republican poll

Juneau voters opt for Trump over Haley by 309-57 vote.

Voters line up on Tuesday during Alaska’s Republican Presidential Preference Poll. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
(Getty Images)

Alaska Republicans head to the polls Tuesday with Trump, Haley and Ramaswamy on the ballot

On Super Tuesday, March 5, Alaska Republicans will join their counterparts in 14 other states and one territory by casting votes for their preferred nominee… Continue reading

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Former state labor commissioner Ed Flanagan, State Rep. Genevieve Mina, D-Anchorage, and the Rev. Michael Burke of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Anchorage wheel boxes of signed petitions into a state Division of Elections office on Jan. 9. The petitions were for a ballot initiative to increase the state’s minimum wage, mandate paid sick leave and ensure that workers are not required to hear employers’ political or religious messages. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Minimum wage increase, ranked choice repeal have enough signatures to be on ballot

A pair of ballot measures have enough public support to appear on this year’s Alaska election ballots, Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom said by email Tuesday.… Continue reading

Former state labor commissioner Ed Flanagan, State Rep. Genevieve Mina, D-Anchorage, and the Rev. Michael Burke of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Anchorage wheel boxes of signed petitions into a state Division of Elections office on Jan. 9. The petitions were for a ballot initiative to increase the state’s minimum wage, mandate paid sick leave and ensure that workers are not required to hear employers’ political or religious messages. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola addresses supporters during a campaign meet-and-greet Saturday night at the Crystal Saloon. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Peltola gets early exposure to pluses, perils of reelection campaign during week with stop in Juneau

Large crowds enthusiastic at first 2024 events, but people challenging her on Gaza cause disruptions

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola addresses supporters during a campaign meet-and-greet Saturday night at the Crystal Saloon. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during a campaign event on December 19, 2023 in Waterloo, Iowa. Iowa Republicans will be the first to select their party's nomination for the 2024 presidential race, when they go to caucus on January 15, 2024. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Federal judge dismisses lawsuit seeking to bar Trump from Alaska election ballots

U.S. District Court Judge Joshua Kindred on Friday dismissed a lawsuit that sought to block Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump from appearing on Alaska’s election… Continue reading

Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during a campaign event on December 19, 2023 in Waterloo, Iowa. Iowa Republicans will be the first to select their party's nomination for the 2024 presidential race, when they go to caucus on January 15, 2024. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, dances with others during a campaign event Oct. 24, 2022, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. Peltola, who announced Monday she is seeking a second full term, is scheduled to make a campaign stop in Juneau on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Peltola announces reelection bid, plans campaign stop in Juneau on Saturday

Democratic congresswoman among top nationwide targets of Republicans as she seeks second full term.

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, dances with others during a campaign event Oct. 24, 2022, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. Peltola, who announced Monday she is seeking a second full term, is scheduled to make a campaign stop in Juneau on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
House Minority Leader Calvin Schrage, I-Anchorage, speaks during a news conference Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Juneau. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Measure limiting Alaska campaign cash fails to get enough signatures for 2024 vote

Backers of a new ballot measure proposing limits on donations to political candidates failed to make the cutoff for this year’s elections. With the Alaska… Continue reading

House Minority Leader Calvin Schrage, I-Anchorage, speaks during a news conference Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Juneau. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Joelle Hall, president of the Alaska AFL-CIO, carries a box of signed petitions for an increased minimum wage to be delivered to the Alaska Division of Elections on Tuesday. Hall is a leader of the campaign to pass a ballot initiative increasing workers’ minimum pay, mandating paid sick leave and ensuring that workers are not required to hear employers’ political, religious or anti-union messages. Behind her are other advocates for the ballot initiative. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska advocates submit petition signatures to put minimum wage increase on ballot

Initiative also mandates paid sick leave, protects workers from political or religious messages.

Joelle Hall, president of the Alaska AFL-CIO, carries a box of signed petitions for an increased minimum wage to be delivered to the Alaska Division of Elections on Tuesday. Hall is a leader of the campaign to pass a ballot initiative increasing workers’ minimum pay, mandating paid sick leave and ensuring that workers are not required to hear employers’ political, religious or anti-union messages. Behind her are other advocates for the ballot initiative. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
A complaint filed July 3, 2023, with the Alaska Public Offices Commission accuses advocates of repealing the state’s open primary elections and ranked choice voting of violating numerous campaign disclosure laws. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Backers of an effort to repeal Alaska’s ranked voting system fined more than $94,000 by APOC

Supporters of an effort to repeal Alaska’s ranked choice voting system have been fined more than $94,000 after the commission that enforces state campaign finance… Continue reading

A complaint filed July 3, 2023, with the Alaska Public Offices Commission accuses advocates of repealing the state’s open primary elections and ranked choice voting of violating numerous campaign disclosure laws. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Former President Donald Trump speaks to a capacity crowd at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage on July 9, 2022. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Alaska among states with lawsuits seeking to make Trump ineligible to run

Federal court complaint filed in September gets more attention after successful Colorado challenge.

Former President Donald Trump speaks to a capacity crowd at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage on July 9, 2022. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
“I voted” stickers await voters on Election Day 2022, the first regular general election in Alaska to include ranked choice voting. A petition to repeal such voting is now circulating, with an organization supporting it the target of a complaint filed this week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Complaint seeks to halt signature gathering by group aiming to repeal Alaska’s ranked voting system

Supporters of an effort to get rid of Alaska’s ranked choice voting system are accused of “intentional deception” by failing to properly report their activities,… Continue reading

“I voted” stickers await voters on Election Day 2022, the first regular general election in Alaska to include ranked choice voting. A petition to repeal such voting is now circulating, with an organization supporting it the target of a complaint filed this week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
A by-mail ballot asks voters in 2020 to approve a measure calling for rank choice voting, which was approved. A petition is now circulating calling for another ballot measure to repeal rank choice. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Failed election shows why Alaska should repeal ranked-choice voting

Most Americans just want elections where it’s easy to vote, hard to cheat and easy to trust the results. Alaska has experimented with ranked-choice voting… Continue reading

A by-mail ballot asks voters in 2020 to approve a measure calling for rank choice voting, which was approved. A petition is now circulating calling for another ballot measure to repeal rank choice. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom addresses the crowd during an inaugural celebration for her and Gov. Mike Dunleavy at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Jan. 20. Dahlstrom on Tuesday announced she is seeking Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat in the 2024 election. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom says she’s seeking Peltola’s U.S. House seat in 2024

Former state lawmaker and corrections commissioner joins fellow Republican Nick Begich in race.

Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom addresses the crowd during an inaugural celebration for her and Gov. Mike Dunleavy at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Jan. 20. Dahlstrom on Tuesday announced she is seeking Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat in the 2024 election. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau Assembly candidates discuss a range of issues during a forum Sept. 12 at the KTOO studio. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: After the election where does Juneau go from here?

The dust has finally settled on Juneau’s recent municipal election, and there’s an expectation that our Assembly will start conducting its business more transparently and… Continue reading

Juneau Assembly candidates discuss a range of issues during a forum Sept. 12 at the KTOO studio. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)