Elections

All elections stories. (These stories are also categorized as “politics”.)

Proposition 2: To Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol

Should Alaska join the other states that have decided to decriminalize marijuana? Proponents argue that it’s already a big business here and bringing it out into the open would allow it to be taxed and provide a source of revenue. Proponents argue it’s too risky and would make our existing substance abuse problems even worse. APRN: Tuesday, 9/16 at 10:00am Download Audio

Marijuana Coalition To Court Conservative Voters Despite GOP Opposition To Measure

This spring, the Alaska Republican Party came out against an initiative that would regulate marijuana like alcohol. Now, some conservatives are formally declaring their support for Proposition 2, without the backing of the party’s official organizations. Download Audio

State Presents Election Translation Plan

The state of Alaska is proposing several changes in how they deliver voting information to Alaska Natives whose first language is Yup’ik or Gwich’in. Download Audio

Support Alliance Endorses Sullivan for Senate

U.S. Senate challenger Dan Sullivan has won a rare endorsement from the Alaska Support Industry Alliance. Sen. Mark Begich nets the purse seiners. Download Audio

Reaction to Alaska Voting Rights Ruling

Plaintiffs in a voting rights lawsuit are reacting to news that a Federal Court Judge has ruled in their favor. Wednesday a judge ruled that the State of Alaska violated the Voting Rights Act by failing to provide translations into Native languages. Download Audio

Dems Ask Maryland to Investigate Sullivan Tax Breaks

Maryland tax authorities said this week they’ll investigate whether Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dan Sullivan improperly benefited from tax breaks intended for Maryland residents for a house he owned in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. As it turns out, Sullivan’s history of voting in Alaska elections may cost him. Download Audio

“Partial Ruling” Against State In Alaska Native Language Ballot Case

A federal district court judge has sided with plaintiffs who say the state is not doing enough to help non-English-speaking voters. A "partial decision" Wednesday in a case against the state division of elections is aimed at protecting the voting rights of Alaska Natives. Download Audio 

Politifact Rates Begich Ad “Pants on Fire”

The fallout continues after U.S. Sen. Mark Begich aired a campaign ad blaming his opponent for a sentencing error that freed a sex offender now charged in a double homicide. Download Audio

Walker, Mallott form Unity Ticket to oppose Parnell

The Bill Walker and Byron Mallott campaigns have joined forces to defeat Governor Sean Parnell in November. They're calling their combined campaign the Alaska First Unity ticket. The pair announced their decision at a packed press conference Monday afternoon. Download Audio

Begich Campaigns Removes Controversial ‘Crime Scene’ Ad

The campaign of Sen. Mark Begich has taken down a controversial TV ad entitled “crime scene” that began airing Friday. The ad featured a retired Anchorage police officer who says Republican Senate candidate Dan Sullivan let sex offenders off with light sentences. Download Audio

Mallott, Walker Talk of Joining Forces

The deadline for making candidacy changes for the November general election ballot is tomorrow and talks have reportedly been going between Democrat Gubernatorial nominee Byron Mallott and independent candidate Bill Walker about a possible unity ticket. Just how that would be done and what would become of running mates Craig Fleener and Hollis French remains to be seen.

Senate Candidates Stake Ground In Unconventional First Debate

Begich emphasized his experience as someone who knows how Congress operates, while Sullivan presented himself as an "outsider" who wants to take Washington on. Download Audio:

Libertarian Senate Candidate To Withdraw, Leaving One Walker On Ballot

There won't be two Walkers on the November ballot after all. Thom Walker, the Libertarian nominee for U.S. Senate, announced he was dropping out of the race via Facebook on Wednesday. Download Audio:

More Than A Win, Constitution Party Candidates Want Ballot Access

If gubernatorial candidate J.R. Myers can secure three percent of the vote, the Constitution Party will get formal recognition from the Division of Elections. Listen now:

On Ballot Or Not, Nees Continues Campaign For West Anchorage House Seat

In June, the Division of Elections rejected David Nees' candidacy because his filing papers weren't notarized. Now, the Anchorage Republican plans to run for State House anyway, even if it means a write-in campaign that could pit him against another member of his party.

Walker Wins Primary … For Libertarian Senate Nomination

Walker had been a registered Republican until this spring. He hasn't campaigned or raised any money. He hasn't even joined the Alaska Libertarian Party Facebook page. So, when Walker got 2,600 votes – more than Fish and Kohlhaas combined – it was not expected. Download Audio:

AFP Targets Begich Absenteeism in $1M Ad Buy

The ad says Begich missed more votes last year than 80 percent of his colleagues. Still, his 2013 attendance record was the best of the Alaska delegation. Download Audio:

Begich Says ‘Bring it on’

Now that former DNR Commissioner Dan Sullivan has won the Republican Primary, U.S. Sen. Mark Begich is staking out his positions, emphasizing his record and his support of abortion rights. Download Audio:

Proposition 1 Opponents Declare Victory

A referendum to repeal Gov. Sean Parnell's signature oil tax law is trailing by nearly 7,000 votes, and its opponents are now declaring victory. When the first returns came in, the referendum was up by exactly five votes. The Vote Yes Repeal the Giveaway team marched into Anchorage's Election Central cheering enthusiastically and believing momentum was on their side. Listen now:

Feige Losing, Stoltze Wins Mat-Su Legislative Races

Unofficial results of Tuesday's primary election are in, and it looks like there may be one upset in the Valley. Mat-Su Borough Assemblyman Jim Colver could upset incumbent Eric Feige for the Republican nomination for the House District 9 race. Former state representative Bill Stoltze won the Republican nod for the Senate District F.