An update by Pearle Green, GOTNV Intern.

Election Day is August 16. 

Voting in the Upcoming Special Election on August 16

A special election is being held to fill the term held by Congressman Don Young. The winner will be Alaska’s representative to Congress through January 2023. Alaskans participated in the primary election during a mail-in election, where voters had to choose one candidate by June 11th.

Now the next step to electing a U.S Representative will be a ranked choice vote on August 16.  During this special general election, Alaskans will rank the top four candidates who advanced from the special primary election. 

During the “Ranked Choice voting” education campaign, there was much attention drawn to the fact that the top four vote-getters of the primary election would advance to the special general election. However, there are only three candidates advancing. These candidates are –

Sarah Palin   

Nick Begich

Mary Peltola

Stay involved and aware about what is going on with the candidates! 
Al Gross, one of the top four vote-getters, dropped out of the running, and it brought questioning to whether the fifth-place candidate, Tara Sweeney, would be moved up into his spot. It was decided by the Alaska Supreme Court that Sweeney will not be running in place of the candidate that withdrew, and there will ONLY be three candidates. All the new “ranked-choice” rules apply when filling out your ballot.  Voters will rank each candidate from your top choice to your last choice. Watch this video to create a better understanding for yourself.

Again, the winner of the special election will serve the remainder of Young’s term which ends this January. Also taking place beginning in August is the regular primary, and in November during the general election, voters will determine who will serve as U.S. Representative during the new, two-year term, which will begin in January.  This seat may be won by the same person as the special election or could be won by a different candidate.

If you are feeling confused, read over these frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Also taking place on August 16: Primary Election Day

This is a big election year. In addition to the special election, Alaska has a regular Election cycle underway. These are the seats that will be up for election in Alaska on August 16: 

  • U.S. Senator 
  • U.S. Representative
  • Governor/Lt. Governor
  • State Senate Districts: 
    • A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S
  • State House Districts: 
    • 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 
    • 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 
    • 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 
    • 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40

If you have questions or want to learn more about candidates, please reach out by emailing gotnv@doyon.com

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