Elections

From left, Dave Carey, Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings, Zach Hamilton and Peter Micciche participate in a Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor candidate forum on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough mayoral candidates participate in Tuesday forum

The forum was hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM in partnership with the Central Peninsula League of Women Voters

 

KDLL, Peninsula Clarion and League of Women Voters will host an election forum ahead of the Feb. 14, 2023, special mayoral election.

Clarion, KDLL to hold special mayoral candidate forum Tuesday

The special mayoral election is slated for Feb. 14

 

A 2022 voter information pamphlet rests on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough to no longer mail election pamphlets

A pamphlet with information about how to access an online version will be mailed for three years

 

Sheree Van Natta speaks to a voter at the Kenai Mall, polling place for Precinct 3 voters, on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Register by Sunday to vote in special mayoral election

The special election was necessitated by the resignation of former Mayor Charlie Pierce

Sheree Van Natta speaks to a voter at the Kenai Mall, polling place for Precinct 3 voters, on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Regular Municipal Election informational pamphlet for the Oct. 4, 2022, election is pictured. The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly is considering an ordinance that would end distribution of hard copies of the pamphlet to borough box holders. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Assembly mulls nixing voter pamphlet mailers

Mailing a borough to every box holder in the Kenai Peninsula Borough costs about $30,000 each regular election

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Regular Municipal Election informational pamphlet for the Oct. 4, 2022, election is pictured. The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly is considering an ordinance that would end distribution of hard copies of the pamphlet to borough box holders. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai explains the ranked choice voting process as the results are tallied during an Alaska Public Media broadcast, Nov. 23, 2022, at her office in Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Elections division head to step down Friday

Fenumiai made the decision to retire in September, a division spokesperson said

Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai explains the ranked choice voting process as the results are tallied during an Alaska Public Media broadcast, Nov. 23, 2022, at her office in Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Demonstrators hold signs supporting Justin Ruffridge and Jesse Bjorkman for state office on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Nov. 8 election results certified

The outcomes of local races for state office remain unchanged

Demonstrators hold signs supporting Justin Ruffridge and Jesse Bjorkman for state office on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building is photographed on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

4 candidates vie for borough mayoral seat

The special election is slated for Feb. 14

The Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building is photographed on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Clockwise from upper left: Mary Peltola, Lisa Murkowski, Mike Dunleavy and Jesse Bjorkman

After ranked-choice tabulation, Murkowski, Peltola win reelection

The tabulation process was streamed live by KTOO

Clockwise from upper left: Mary Peltola, Lisa Murkowski, Mike Dunleavy and Jesse Bjorkman
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski prepares to meet officials at the Sealaska Heritage Institute during a visit to Juneau on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

Murkowski takes narrow lead in U.S. Senate race

As of 5:50 p.m. on Friday, Murkowski was leading Tshibaka by fewer than 1,000 votes

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski prepares to meet officials at the Sealaska Heritage Institute during a visit to Juneau on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Pat Tynan, left, and Tom Melville, review absentee ballots Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, at the Division of Elections office at the Mendenhall Mall in Juneau, Alaska. The review process is taking place in a separate room from where ballots are being tallied for the official results. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire) Pat Tynan, left, and Tom Melville, review absentee ballots Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, at the Division of Elections office at the Mendenhall Mall in Juneau, Alaska. The review process is taking place in a separate room from where ballots are being tallied for the official results. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Murkowski, Tshibaka in dead heat; Peltola inches toward 50% in latest election results

The Alaska Division of Elections updated results with newly counted absentee, early and question ballots

Pat Tynan, left, and Tom Melville, review absentee ballots Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, at the Division of Elections office at the Mendenhall Mall in Juneau, Alaska. The review process is taking place in a separate room from where ballots are being tallied for the official results. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire) Pat Tynan, left, and Tom Melville, review absentee ballots Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, at the Division of Elections office at the Mendenhall Mall in Juneau, Alaska. The review process is taking place in a separate room from where ballots are being tallied for the official results. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a Republican candidate for Alaska’s sole seat in the U.S. House, meets with supporters waving signs Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Palin faced U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat, Republican Nick Begich and Libertarian Chris Bye in the general election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Votes still being tallied in statewide races

Thousands of absentee ballots have not yet been counted

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a Republican candidate for Alaska’s sole seat in the U.S. House, meets with supporters waving signs Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Palin faced U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat, Republican Nick Begich and Libertarian Chris Bye in the general election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Poll worker Harmony Bolden, right, helps a voter cast their ballot at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Local candidates react to preliminary general election results

Bjorkman leads Babcock; Ruffridge on track to edge out Gillham

Poll worker Harmony Bolden, right, helps a voter cast their ballot at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Incumbent Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican running for reelection Nov. 8, 2022, is shown prior to a televised debate Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Early results favor Dunleavy in governor’s race

The Republican incumbent had clinched about 51.7% of the roughly 200,000 votes counted as of about 10:50 p.m.

Incumbent Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican running for reelection Nov. 8, 2022, is shown prior to a televised debate Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Friends and family of Louie Flora wave signs in support of the candidate for District 6 State House Representative on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. From left to right are Chelsea Jones, Jon Flora, Sandy the dog, Sarah Banks and Mikee Flora. Louie Flora’s children Sidney and Rocco are in the tent to the right. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News) Friends and family of Louie Flora wave signs in support of the candidate for District 6 State House Representative on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. From left to right are Chelsea Jones, Jon Flora, Sandy the dog, Sarah Banks and Mikee Flora. Louie Flora’s children Sidney and Rocco are in the tent to the right. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Stevens, Vance lead in preliminary results.

If results hold, incumbents could win on first round of ranked-choice voting.

Friends and family of Louie Flora wave signs in support of the candidate for District 6 State House Representative on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. From left to right are Chelsea Jones, Jon Flora, Sandy the dog, Sarah Banks and Mikee Flora. Louie Flora’s children Sidney and Rocco are in the tent to the right. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News) Friends and family of Louie Flora wave signs in support of the candidate for District 6 State House Representative on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. From left to right are Chelsea Jones, Jon Flora, Sandy the dog, Sarah Banks and Mikee Flora. Louie Flora’s children Sidney and Rocco are in the tent to the right. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Kit Hill checks in a voter at the Kenai Mall, voting place for Kenai’s Precinct #1 in Kenai, Alaska on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Enthusiasm, busy polls mark local Election Day

Residents throughout Kenai and Soldotna ventured into snowy conditions to make their voices heard

Kit Hill checks in a voter at the Kenai Mall, voting place for Kenai’s Precinct #1 in Kenai, Alaska on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Campaign signs decorate the outside of Paradisos Restaurant on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Election season nears conclusion

Last day to vote is Tuesday

Campaign signs decorate the outside of Paradisos Restaurant on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Alaska State House candidates Ron Gillham, Ben Carpenter and Justin Ruffridge participate in a candidate forum on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Babcock, Ruffridge bring in most cash in state Senate, House races

Candidates for Legislature report financial support ahead of Tuesday

From left, Alaska State House candidates Ron Gillham, Ben Carpenter and Justin Ruffridge participate in a candidate forum on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Candidates for Alaska State Senate District C Gary Stevens, on screen, left, and Heath Smith, on screen, right, participate remotely in a forum held at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Southern peninsula State Senate candidates face off in Monday forum

Incumbent Gary Stevens and challengers Heath Smith and Walter Jones are all running for the seat

Candidates for Alaska State Senate District C Gary Stevens, on screen, left, and Heath Smith, on screen, right, participate remotely in a forum held at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gary Anderson fills out an early voting ballot on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, at Kenai City Hall in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Thousands of borough voters have already voted in Nov. 8 election

Federal and state races and constitutional convention question are all on the ballot

Gary Anderson fills out an early voting ballot on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, at Kenai City Hall in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)