Alaska Supreme Court upholds ranked choice repeal initiative, now bound for November vote
Ballot Measure 2 would end ranked choice voting and the state’s open primary election system.
How ‘the license plate bill to end license plate bills’ finally passed
Lawmakers have long criticized the inconsequential bills. But they also weren’t willing to stop spending time on them -- until this year.
Progressive candidates show unusual strength in Alaska state legislative primaries
But amid near-record-low turnout, experts warn against drawing conclusions before the November general election.
2 rural Alaska precincts fail to open for primary voting after workers don’t respond to state
In addition to the precincts that didn’t open, others opened roughly three hours late, around 10 a.m., officials said.
Disagreements over bipartisanship fuel five-way race for Eagle River state Senate seat
Sen. Kelly Merrick says she joined a 17-member bipartisan Senate majority to get things done. Opponents say she betrayed conservative voters.
Alaska elections officials plan to debut new ballot-tracking system with Aug. 20 primary
The system will allow the Division of Elections to track packages of ballots as they return to Juneau from remote locations.
In America’s largest state House district, 6 people vie for a seat in the Alaska Legislature
The contest for Interior Alaska’s House District 36 has more candidates than any other legislative race this year.
Alaska’s pre-primary election turnout is down from extraordinary 2022 and 2020 primaries
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic emergency boosted absentee turnout to record highs, and in 2022, there was a special U.S. House election.
Alaska school districts got a one-time funding boost. It came too late for many teachers.
Many school boards opted for conservative budgets that included layoffs of teachers before the governor signed the budget this year.
In Eagle River, a five-way race could be a factor in control of the state Senate
The contest is one of only three that will see a candidate eliminated in the Aug. 20 primary election.
How Alaska wound up with no limits on campaign donations — and how some hope to restore them
A court slashed Alaska's campaign finance laws in 2021. Now, as money pours into candidates' coffers, a campaign seeks to reimpose them.
Early voting opens for Aug. 20 primary; mailed absentee application window closes this week
Under Alaska’s primary election system, all candidates for a particular office run together. The top four vote-getters advance to November.
Alaska Permanent Fund headed for fiscal crisis, as state budget increasingly relies on it
As the Alaska Beacon's James Brooks puts it, it's like putting down railroad tracks right before the train rumbles over them.
Gov. Dunleavy vetoes 5 bills passed after midnight on last day of legislative session
The bills passed after midnight cover a variety of subjects. Most would make simple but consequential changes to state law.
Lawmakers say they’re puzzled by Gov. Dunleavy’s veto of $5M for K-3 reading, a goal of his signature education bill
Lawmakers say the money was intended to achieve the goals of the 2022 Alaska Reads Act — a priority bill for Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
After state judge keeps ranked choice repeal ballot measure, Alaska Supreme Court will weigh in
The Alaska Supreme Court is likely the last chance for opponents of the ranked choice voting repeal to prevent it from coming to a vote.
Former Alaska legislator’s voter misconduct trial postponed, again
The trial has been rescheduled at least four times since Gabrielle LeDoux and two associates were accused of voter misconduct in 2020.
Permanent Fund Corp. board member resigns after email controversy
In May, a series of leaked emails suggested some corporation employees felt pressured by investment suggestions offered by Ellie Rubenstein.
Some Alaska Republican candidates pledge to withdraw if they aren’t atop GOP votes in primary
The pledges are a way to circumvent ranked choice voting and put forward a single GOP candidate in elections, according to one supporter.
Leading Alaska Democrats support Kamala Harris to replace Biden on ticket
Alaska Democrats quickly backed President Biden's choice not to seek reelection as well as his endorsed successor, Vice President Kamala Harris.