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A sign designates a vote center during the recent municipal election. The center offered a spot for voters to drop off ballots or fill a ballot out in person. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: The failure of mail-in voting

The argument that mail-in balloting increases voter participation never impressed me

A resident casts their vote in the regular municipal election Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Opinion

Alaska Voices: Break the cycle of failure, debt in 2022

Today, all Americans are coerced, embarrassed or otherwise influenced into one of two old political parties

Charlie Franz.

Opinion

Point of View: Election integrity is not anti-democratic

The federalization of elections by the Freedom to Vote Act infringes on the constitutional right of states to…

Snow blows off Mt. Roberts high above the Thane avalanche chute, where an avalanche blew across the road during a major snowstorm. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Opinion

An Alaska winter of discontent

It’s been a hard winter throughout the state.

A Uncruise Adventures cruise ship, with a fleet of kayaks in the water behind it, in the Tongass National Forest. Uncruise, a boutique local cruise ship operator, has been vocal about the importance of the intact Tongass National Forest, or SeaBank, to its business. (Photo by Ben Hamilton/courtesy Salmon State)

Opinion

Alaska Voices: The dividends paid by Southeast Alaska’s ‘Seabank’ are the state’s untold secrets

Southeast Alaska’s natural capital produces economic outputs from the seafood and visitor products industries worth several billion dollars…

The Juneau Pioneer Home is seen in this undated photo. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Seniors find fault with DHSS split proposal

There are better answers.

teaser

Opinion

Opinion: The pulse of fealty

Let’s be honest. Trump’s demands go beyond his one stated condition.

Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire in May 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Alaska Voices: Permanent fund integrity in peril?

Alaskans need to be kept informed of what the trustees are doing with their money.

A cast member holds up a cue card in Soldotna High School’s production of "Annie" on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion

Voices of the Peninsula: Is theater dead?

“It will not be an easy task, performing CPR on this theater, but imagine the joy that you…

Bjørn Olson (Photo provided)

Opinion

Point of View: Homer Drawdown moves forward with climate-change solutions

Two years ago, a small group of concerned citizens decided to use this book as a guiding document

A “Vote Here” sign is seen at the City of Kenai building on Monday, Sept. 21 in Kenai, Alaska.

Opinion

Voices of the Peninsula: Fight for democracy

When the Insurrection occurred on Jan. 6, 2021, it was a direct attack on our democratic rule of…

Former Alaska legislator and gubernatorial candidate Les Gara is seen in this undated photo. (courtesy photo)

Opinion

Alaska’s great oil giveway

We can do better than giving away billions in oil company subsidies

Alexander B. Dolitsky

Opinion

Opinion: Russian Old Believers in modern Alaska

America is the sunrise for the Russian Old Believers in Alaska.

A vote-by-mail ballot box is photographed at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration building in Soldotna, Alaska, in October 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Opinion

Voices of the Peninsula: 2021 saw changes to election laws across the country

Election security, efficiency and accuracy continue to be integral to maintaining nonpartisan run elections

Golden-yellow birch trees and spruce frame a view of Aurora Lagoon and Portlock Glacier from a trail in the Cottonwood-Eastland Unit of Kachemak Bay State Park off East End Road on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong)

Opinion

Voices of the Peninsula: Don’t cut up Kachemak Bay State Park for a failing hatchery!

HB 52 would permanently give up valuable public resources to a failing operation.

In this Sept. 26, 2019 file photo, Alaska Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka addresses reporters in Anchorage, Alaska. Tshibaka announced plans on Monday, March 29, 2021, to run for the U.S. Senate seat held by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a fellow Republican, in the 2022 election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Opinion

Alaska Voices: 2021 proved that Murkowski has abandoned Alaska

Murkowski’s record this year is consistent with her past.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Alaska Voices: A tough year, but bipartisanship points the way

When Congress did set aside its differences and work together, we made some significant achievements.

A5

Opinion

After Christmas, exchange ideas

Unhealthy sterotypes pose a new existential risk.

Jason Brune is the commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation. (Image via dec.alaska.gov)

Opinion

Opinion: Feds owe it to Alaskans to clean up their mess

Nobody expected that the federal government would give damaged goods as part of ANCSA.

Jim Cockrell was appointed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy as Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Opinion

Opinion: Budget proposal makes meaningful investments in public safety

This administration is determined to make Alaska a place where people can feel safe, and victims can expect…