Elections

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

ranked choice ballot with a pen

Why Alaska uses ranked choice voting and what we know about how it affects elections

Ballot Measure 2 created the non-partisan pick one primary and the four-candidate ranked choice voting general election. It also included provisions related to campaign finance transparency. It required groups who are campaigning on behalf of or against candidates, but not ballot measures, to disclose if most of their funding came from a source outside of Alaska. 
two people hug in a crowd

‘I’m here to represent all Alaskans’: A close-up look at Mary Peltola’s swearing-in

Alaska again has a voice in the U.S. House of Representatives, as of Tuesday afternoon, when Congresswoman Mary Peltola was sworn in on the House floor.
Alaska Senate candidate Buzz Kelley

Fourth-place finisher Buzz Kelley suspends campaign for U.S. Senate, backs Tshibaka

Kelley's name will still appear on the Nov. 8 ballot with incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Republican Kelly Tshibaka and Democrat Patricia Chesbro.
a group of people stand in front of flags

Mary Peltola makes history as first Alaska Native sworn into Congress

Peltola is also the first woman to serve in Alaska’s sole U.S. House seat.
woman stands outside of capitol

Mary Peltola will make history today as she joins Congress. Here’s how to watch live.

Democrat Mary Peltola’s swearing-in is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time Tuesday, with live video on the U.S. House’s website.
a man and a woman at a podium

Judge: Alaska elections officials must enforce disloyalty clause

An Anchorage Superior Court judge ruled that the Alaska Division of Elections has a duty to determine whether a candidate for public office is ineligible for disloyalty.
a man in a suit gives a talk at a microphone.

Kenai Peninsula Borough says employee made ‘credible’ harassment claims against Pierce

The borough disclosed the new information regarding departing mayor Charlie Pierce at a special meeting Sunday, but stopped short of releasing specifics about the allegations.
a man in a suit

Peltola’s D.C. hires include Young’s former chief of staff

Alex Ortiz, who was Congressman Don Young’s last chief of staff, will also work in that role for congresswoman-elect Mary Peltola.
woman stands outside of capitol

Tomorrow, she becomes Alaska’s Congresswoman. Today, she has a lot to do.

Peltola is drawing an unusual amount of national media attention as the first Alaska Native elected to Congress, and even more because of her special election win over Sarah Palin, a former Alaska governor endorsed by Donald Trump.
two people hug inside

Mary Peltola visits friends, family and supporters in Bethel ahead of her historic swearing-in

Peltola on Tuesday will become the first Alaska Native person to serve in Congress and the first woman to hold Alaska's sole U.S. House seat.
a woman stands among a happy crowd of supporters at a small airport

Congresswoman-elect Peltola lands in Bethel before heading to Washington D.C.

“I am so excited that we have actually elected a U.S. representative who is from here and she’s a woman," said Kathy Hanson.
a woman in a windbreaker

Y-K Delta leaders celebrate Peltola’s congressional victory

Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta leaders are hailing congresswoman-elect Mary Peltola's rural knowledge and aptitude for consensus-building.
two men side by side

Can Gara or Walker unseat Dunleavy in the race for Alaska governor? Analysts say both have a tough, but possible road to victory.

In a ranked-choice election, the two progressive gubernatorial candidates are relying on each other’s second-place votes to win.
a headshot of a man in a suit who is smiling

Kenai Peninsula Borough paid more than $260,000 to settle complaints against Pierce

Borough employees and elected officials have declined to confirm the existence of another complaint.

Dunleavy accused of using state funds to pay campaign staffers and violating campaign finance rules

The Alaska Public Research Interest Group and an organization called 907 Initiative filed the complaint on Tuesday with the Alaska Public Offices Commission.
photographers taking photos of two people watching a computer

Five takeaway lessons from Alaska’s first ranked choice election

Political advisers, pollers and independent observers say there are five early lessons from Alaska’s first ranked choice election.

We’re listening to you, Alaska voters

We want to ensure that coverage of this year’s election is voter-centered and voter-driven. Why? Because voters' needs matter most.
an old piece of paper filled with signatures

What to know about Alaska’s ballot measure on whether to hold another constitutional convention

Join Alaska Public Media, the UAA Seawolf Debate and Commonwealth North for a debate about the ballot measure on Sept. 29.
A woman in a blue shirt helping another woman with her voting ballot

What to know about ranked choice voting

The best way to understand the method is to see it in action.

For Indigenous Alaskans, congressional election brings flood of emotions, online and off

The election of Yup'ik Mary Peltola brought unexpected tears to some Alaska Native people.