Elections

An Alaska Division of Elections Official Election Pamphlet rests on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion newsroom on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

When, where to vote in the 2024 general election

Tuesday is Election Day! Voters in the Kenai Peninsula Borough will head to polls to cast their ballots in the races for U.S. president, for… Continue reading

An Alaska Division of Elections Official Election Pamphlet rests on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion newsroom on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
State House District 6 candidates Rep. Sarah Vance, Dawson Slaughter and Brent Johnson participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KBBI 890 AM at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

House District 6 candidates talk finance, schooling, fisheries

Candidates met Tuesday at the Homer Public Library for a candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KBBI 890 AM

State House District 6 candidates Rep. Sarah Vance, Dawson Slaughter and Brent Johnson participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KBBI 890 AM at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The offical ballot for the Aug. 16, 2022, Special General Election features ranked choice voting. (State of Alaska Divison of Elections)

I was opposed to open primaries and ranked choice voting, but now I’m voting no on Ballot Measure 2

Here’s why

The offical ballot for the Aug. 16, 2022, Special General Election features ranked choice voting. (State of Alaska Divison of Elections)
Derrick Green (Courtesy photo)

Opinion: Ballot Measure 1 will help businesses and communities thrive

It would not be good for the health and safety of my staff, my customers, or my family if workers are too worried about missing pay to stay home when they are sick.

Derrick Green (Courtesy photo)
A sign directing voters to the Alaska Division of Elections polling place is seen in Kenai, Alaska, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Vote no on Ballot Measure 2

A yes vote would return Alaska to party controlled closed primaries and general elections in which the candidate need not win an outright majority to be elected.

A sign directing voters to the Alaska Division of Elections polling place is seen in Kenai, Alaska, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska House of Representatives District 8 candidates John Hillyer and Bill Elam shake answer questions during the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Hillyer, Elam debate issues in House District 8 forum

They met Monday at the Soldotna Public Library for a candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM.

Alaska House of Representatives District 8 candidates John Hillyer and Bill Elam shake answer questions during the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A banner at Homer City Hall identifies the building as a voting precinct. Early voting runs at city hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Friday and Monday in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Early voting for Nov. 5 general election open in Kenai, Soldotna and Homer

Voters will cast ballots for U.S. president and U.S. representative, state House and Senate and decide on two ballot measures

A banner at Homer City Hall identifies the building as a voting precinct. Early voting runs at city hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Friday and Monday in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Alaska State House District 5 candidates Leighton Radner and Rep. Louise Stutes participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KBBI 890 AM at the Seward Community Library in Seward, Alaska, on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Stutes, Radner talk spending, housing, child care at Seward forum

The candidate forum was moderated by the Peninsula Clarion and KBBI 890 AM

Alaska State House District 5 candidates Leighton Radner and Rep. Louise Stutes participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KBBI 890 AM at the Seward Community Library in Seward, Alaska, on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Clerk Shelie Saner administers an oath of office to Sovala Kisena during a meeting of the Kenai City Council in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. Kisena won election to the council during the Oct. 1 municipal election. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai certifies election results

There were 673 total ballots cast, compared to 6,470 registered voters in Kenai

Kenai City Clerk Shelie Saner administers an oath of office to Sovala Kisena during a meeting of the Kenai City Council in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. Kisena won election to the council during the Oct. 1 municipal election. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Therese Lewandowski. (Photo provided)

Point of View: Voters — Be intrigued, be educated

Don’t just say no

Therese Lewandowski. (Photo provided)
Alex Koplin. (courtesy photo)

Point of View: Ranked choice gives voters more voice

The major political parties are not in touch with all Alaskans

Alex Koplin. (courtesy photo)
Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion Alaska State House District 7 candidate Ron Gillham, left, and Rep. Justin Ruffridge participate in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday.

Ruffridge, Gillham talk school funding, natural gas pipeline and state finance at forum

Justin Ruffridge and Ron Gillham, the two candidates for the District 7 seat in the Alaska House of Representatives, met Monday to discuss education, energy… Continue reading

Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion Alaska State House District 7 candidate Ron Gillham, left, and Rep. Justin Ruffridge participate in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday.
Alaska State Sen. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski), left, and Alaska House Rep. Ben Carpenter (R-Nikiski) participate in the Senate District D candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: Carpenter has a much better fiscal plan

The sales tax is only one component included in a larger package of bills

Alaska State Sen. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski), left, and Alaska House Rep. Ben Carpenter (R-Nikiski) participate in the Senate District D candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Clerk Johni Blankenship, right, administers oaths of office to Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings and Jordan Chilson during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna certifies election results

Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings and Jordan Chilson reelected to city council

Soldotna City Clerk Johni Blankenship, right, administers oaths of office to Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings and Jordan Chilson during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Sen. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski), left, and Alaska House Rep. Ben Carpenter (R-Nikiski) participate in the Senate District D candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Bjorkman, Carpenter talk economy, energy, education at forum

Whoever is elected to the seat will serve a four-year term ending in January 2029

Alaska State Sen. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski), left, and Alaska House Rep. Ben Carpenter (R-Nikiski) participate in the Senate District D candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A voter fills out their ballot at the Kenai No. 2 Precinct in the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Campaign spending picks up ahead of general election

Electoral candidates were required to file disclosure forms 30 days before the election

A voter fills out their ballot at the Kenai No. 2 Precinct in the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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Lord wins mayor’s race

The Election Canvass Board certified City of Homer election results on Friday

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Borough Clerk Michele Turner administers oaths of office to Cindy Ecklund and James Baisden during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. Ecklund was reelected and Baisden was elected to the assembly during the Oct. 1 election. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough assembly certifies election; Baisden and Ecklund are sworn in

Cindy Ecklund won reelection; James Baisden was newly elected

Borough Clerk Michele Turner administers oaths of office to Cindy Ecklund and James Baisden during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. Ecklund was reelected and Baisden was elected to the assembly during the Oct. 1 election. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Flyer for the 2024 Candidate Forum Series by KDLL 91.9 FM and the Peninsula Clarion. (Ashlyn O’Hara/KDLL 91.9)

Clarion and KDLL forums return this month for state races

Senate District D forum set for Monday with Bjorkman and Carpenter

Flyer for the 2024 Candidate Forum Series by KDLL 91.9 FM and the Peninsula Clarion. (Ashlyn O’Hara/KDLL 91.9)
Board of Education candidate Sarah Douthit and her supporters wave signs at the side of the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Uncontested races define municipal election

Preliminary results show few surprises, little support for South Peninsula Hospital bond

Board of Education candidate Sarah Douthit and her supporters wave signs at the side of the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)