Elections

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

three people at table.

Talk of Alaska: The Race to November

The results of Alaska’s first ranked choice election may have surprised some Alaskans. Democrat Mary Peltola prevailed in the special election for the current U.S. House term, beating two Republicans. Now the real race is on for November where candidates are also competing for Governor, U.S. Senate and state legislative races. What have we learned from this first ranked choice experience and what might it reveal for November? Alaska reporters join us for a campaign discussion on the next Talk of Alaska
a sign at a polling place

Two rural Alaska communities failed to open polling places on election day

Alaska Division of Elections officials say voting stations in the state's Aug. 16 special election did not open in Tununak and Atmautluak.
a woman standing at a podium

Palin, Begich both stay in general-election House race after special-election loss

Both Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III refused each other's calls to bow out of the general U.S. House election before Monday's withdrawal deadline.
a portrait of a man with a screen behind him

Kurka calls on Pierce to resign from Alaska governor’s race, citing unconfirmed harassment claim

If Charlie Pierce and his running mate quit before Tuesday, Christopher Kurka would fill the No. 4 spot in the general election.
woman at helm of boat

How did Peltola beat Palin? Political analysts in Alaska say ‘civility matters’

Peltola's victory against Trump-backed Republican Sarah Palin sets the stage for a contentious next few months as she and Republicans Sarah Palin and Nick Begich compete for the full two-year term that begins in January.
A woman behind a microphone, with a blue background

Mary Peltola talks salmon, bipartisanship and winning Alaska’s U.S. House race

KYUK’s Nina Kravinsky spoke with Mary Peltola by phone shortly after the election results were announced on Wednesday.
four people at podiums

House candidates make pro-development pitches at Alaska oil industry conference

“What we need to do is really articulate how Alaska does it best,” Alaska's first congresswoman, Mary Peltola said at a candidate forum on oil and gas issues just before her special-election victory.
a man and woman hug

Mary Peltola becomes first Alaska Native elected to Congress

Peltola will become the first Alaska Native woman to serve in U.S. Congress.
photo collage of three people

How to watch the results today of Alaska’s first ranked choice election

The Division of Elections is livestreaming the tabulation on Facebook.
a person with a red pen and paper

Here’s how Alaska’s first ranked choice election will be counted

When preliminary results are announced at 4 p.m. Wednesday, it will reveal the likely winner.
a Kenai Peninsula Borough government building

Kenai Peninsula Borough’s chief of staff follows Mayor Pierce in resigning

Aaron Rhoades has been the right hand to Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce, who resigned last week saying he needed to focus on his bid for governor.
A man talking into two microphones

Embattled Ketchikan City Council candidate Dave Timmerman officially ends campaign

Timmerman's name will still appear on the Oct. 4 ballot, after his Monday removal request missed an Aug. 25 deadline.
woman drives boat while passenger uses his camera

Peltola goes home to the Kuskokwim, still waiting to hear if she’s the first Alaska Native elected to Congress

Republican Sarah Palin, the former governor and 2008 vice presidential nominee, is in a good position to win the special U.S. House election once the second-choice ballots are counted. But for now, Alaska’s right-wing icon is trailing Peltola by almost 9 percentage points. 
ballots go into a scanner

Alaska primary count is done, as near-record voting sets fields for ranked choice election

The outcome of the special election to fill the remainder of Don Young’s term will be announced on Wednesday.
A man in a suit gives a talk at a microphone.

Charlie Pierce resigns as Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor

Pierce said he’s resigning as mayor next month to focus full-time on his gubernatorial campaign. He did not respond to calls seeking comment.
A woman with a red and blue jacket on drinking coffee

Peltola’s lead widens in U.S. House race with another batch of first-place votes counted

Peltola's lead increased from 7.5% to a little over 8%, according to updated results posted late Thursday.
a sticker says "I voted" with feet

Groups sue over lack of process to fix mail ballot mistakes

Alaska elections officials are violating voters’ rights by not providing a process through which voters can fix mistakes on mail ballot envelopes, a lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges.
photo collage of three people

Peltola gains in Alaska’s updated special U.S. House election results

Democrat Mary Peltola increased her lead in the special U.S. House race. But no second-choice ballots have been counted.

“Shall there be a constitutional convention?” A debate on November’s ballot question — Sept. 29

Alaska Public Media is partnering with UAA Seawolf Debate and Commonwealth North to host a debate between advocates on both sides of this November's constitutional convention ballot measure.

Tara Sweeney ends campaign for U.S. House, opening spot for Libertarian on November ballot

Sweeney had substantial financial support from Alaska Native corporations and their affiliates. But she said she doesn't think she can win.