Elections

Tuckerman Babcock stands in The Peninsula Clarion office on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Babcock enters state Senate race

Babcock will challenge incumbent Peter Micciche for the seat containing Kenai and Soldotna

Tuckerman Babcock stands in The Peninsula Clarion office on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Murkowski ahead in campaign funds; Tshibaka brings in local money

U.S. Senate hopeful Kelly Tshibaka continues to report financial support from residents of the Kenai Peninsula, but falls behind incumbent Lisa Murkowski overall. That’s per… Continue reading

Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Screenshot / Alaska Redistricting Board The Alaska Redistricting Board’s decision to pair District 21 (teal) and District 22 (purple) into one senate district is the subject of a lawsuit from East Anchorage residents of District 21. An Anchorage Superior Court heard the first arguments in that case on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, part of several lawsuits against the Redistricting Board that have been consolidated into a single case.

1st arguments heard in Redistricting Board lawsuits

Arguments resume Monday.

Screenshot / Alaska Redistricting Board The Alaska Redistricting Board’s decision to pair District 21 (teal) and District 22 (purple) into one senate district is the subject of a lawsuit from East Anchorage residents of District 21. An Anchorage Superior Court heard the first arguments in that case on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, part of several lawsuits against the Redistricting Board that have been consolidated into a single case.
Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer speaks during a press conference announcing the administration’s push for changes to the state’s election system on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kevin Goodman, State of Alaska)

Governor proposes sweeping changes to election system

Dunleavy plans to put the “election integrity” bill before the Alaska Legislature next session.

Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer speaks during a press conference announcing the administration’s push for changes to the state’s election system on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kevin Goodman, State of Alaska)
Nick Begich III, seen here in this undated photo, is challenging Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, for his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives saying Alaska needs new energy in Washington D.C. (Courtesy photo / Alaskans for Nick Begich)

Nick Begich III touts fiscal conservatism in US House race

GOP candidate challenges Young’s record

Nick Begich III, seen here in this undated photo, is challenging Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, for his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives saying Alaska needs new energy in Washington D.C. (Courtesy photo / Alaskans for Nick Begich)
Democratic Party candidate for governor Les Gara attends a Zoom meeting with Homer residents on Nov. 18, 2021, from his Anchorage, Alaska, home. (Screen capture)

Gara makes election pitch to Homer

Democratic Party candidate for governor Gara visits virtually.

Democratic Party candidate for governor Les Gara attends a Zoom meeting with Homer residents on Nov. 18, 2021, from his Anchorage, Alaska, home. (Screen capture)
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)

Voices of the Peninsula: All votes matter

In the beginning, only property-holding white men could vote.

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)
A “Vote Here” sign is seen at the City of Kenai building on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Alaska Voices: Restore our strong campaign donation limits

Without campaign spending limits, the ideal of one person, one vote is no longer really true.

A “Vote Here” sign is seen at the City of Kenai building on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, speaks to reporters after filing for re-election Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at the Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska, setting up a race against a primary challenger endorsed by former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Murkowski to run in 2022; Trump backs rival

So far, she has outraised her Trump-backed opponent Kelly Tshibaka, according to fundraising reports.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, speaks to reporters after filing for re-election Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at the Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska, setting up a race against a primary challenger endorsed by former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
The Final Redistricting Map approved for the Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna area is seen on Nov. 9, 2021. (Map via akredistrict.org)

Alaska Voices: The Alaska Redistricting Board’s last-minute gerrymandering failed Alaska

Our Constitution outlines rules for a redistricting process designed to uphold public trust.

The Final Redistricting Map approved for the Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna area is seen on Nov. 9, 2021. (Map via akredistrict.org)
Alaskans for Better Elections Executive Director Jason Grenn presents on upcoming changes to Alaska elections during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna City Council gets rundown on new voting systems

Alaska will be the first U.S. state to hold both an open primary and a ranked choice general election in the same year.

Alaskans for Better Elections Executive Director Jason Grenn presents on upcoming changes to Alaska elections during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The 2021 Board Proclamation for the Kenai Peninsula shows the redistricting plan adopted by the Alaska Redistricting Board on Nov. 10, 2021. (akredistrict.org)

New boundaries, shortened terms for local senators after redistricting

The board paired new Alaska State House Districts with Senate districts Wednesday.

The 2021 Board Proclamation for the Kenai Peninsula shows the redistricting plan adopted by the Alaska Redistricting Board on Nov. 10, 2021. (akredistrict.org)
The Final Redistricting Map approved for the Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna area is seen on Nov. 9, 2021. (Map via akredistrict.org)

Alaska redistricting board pairings draw criticism

Tuesday’s actions followed pointed exchanges on proposed maps for the area Monday and extended executive sessions.

The Final Redistricting Map approved for the Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna area is seen on Nov. 9, 2021. (Map via akredistrict.org)
Nicholas Begich III, middle, speaks with supporters ahead of announcing his plans to run for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Wasilla, Alaska. Begich, a Republican, plans to run for the seat that has been held since 1973 by Republican Rep. Don Young. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Begich announces US House bid: ‘Alaska needs new energy’

Begich said his loyalties lie with the values and principles of the Republican party.

Nicholas Begich III, middle, speaks with supporters ahead of announcing his plans to run for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Wasilla, Alaska. Begich, a Republican, plans to run for the seat that has been held since 1973 by Republican Rep. Don Young. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Jason Floyd testifies in opposition to COVID-19 mandates during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Protesters pack council meeting, declare ‘medical liberty’

Attendance at Wednesday’s meeting was reduced to standing-room only.

Jason Floyd testifies in opposition to COVID-19 mandates during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship (right) swears in new members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Brent Hibbert (left), Cindy Ecklund (second from left) and Mike Tupper during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough assembly swears in 3 members

Cindy Ecklund, Brent Hibbert and Mike Tupper take oath of office.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship (right) swears in new members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Brent Hibbert (left), Cindy Ecklund (second from left) and Mike Tupper during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Teressa Minnich (left) speaks to another poll worker at a precinct at Soldotna Prep School on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Municipal elections see ‘sad’ turnout levels

11.8% of registered voters cast ballots in the borough’s Oct. 5 municipal elections.

Teressa Minnich (left) speaks to another poll worker at a precinct at Soldotna Prep School on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship oversees the testing of voting equipment ahead of the Oct. 5 municipal election on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Outstanding municipal election ballots to be counted Monday

A total of 1,512 ballots, including absentee, questioned and special needs, will be counted.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship oversees the testing of voting equipment ahead of the Oct. 5 municipal election on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
This screenshot shows the proposed House Districts for the southern Kenai Peninsula. The shaded pink area is District 5 and the shaded purple area is District 6. The Fritz Creek and Fox River areas currently in District 31 (the area now called District 5) would go into the Kodiak Island and Prince Willaim Sound District 6. The Fritz Creek and Fox River area starts at the Fritz Creek General Store near Mile 8 East End Road and includes the north side of East End Road. At East End Road and McNeil Canyon, all of East End Road to the end of the road is in the new district, including the villages of Razdolna, Voznesenka and Kachemak Selo. (Screen Capture/Alaska Redistricting Board/Google Maps)

Redistricting draft puts Fritz Creek into new district

Draft proposals carve out Fritz Creek, Fox River and put in Kodiak-Prince William Sound district.

This screenshot shows the proposed House Districts for the southern Kenai Peninsula. The shaded pink area is District 5 and the shaded purple area is District 6. The Fritz Creek and Fox River areas currently in District 31 (the area now called District 5) would go into the Kodiak Island and Prince Willaim Sound District 6. The Fritz Creek and Fox River area starts at the Fritz Creek General Store near Mile 8 East End Road and includes the north side of East End Road. At East End Road and McNeil Canyon, all of East End Road to the end of the road is in the new district, including the villages of Razdolna, Voznesenka and Kachemak Selo. (Screen Capture/Alaska Redistricting Board/Google Maps)
Signs direct voters at the Kenai No. 3 precinct for Election Day on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Unofficial results show low turnout in cities, incumbent losses

All results are unofficial and do not include absentee, questioned and absentee ballots.

Signs direct voters at the Kenai No. 3 precinct for Election Day on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)