Alaska’s Primary Election

August 22, 2024 Village Telegraph Comments Off on Alaska’s Primary Election

Alaskans voted in the Primary Election on Tuesday, August 20th, 2024. Voters also had the option of voting Absentee In-Person and Early Voting which was available August 5th-19th.

The primary election on August 20th was a nonpartisan top four primary which is used to determine which top four vote getters will advance to the General Election, regardless of political affiliation. Primary elections are held on the third Tuesday in August of even numbered years.

Ranked Choice Voting

In the 2020 General Election on November 3rd, Alaskan voters passed a ballot initiative replacing the political party primary with a nonpartisan top four primary election system and a ranked choice voting general election system. This measure passed 174,032 voting for and 170,251 voting against.

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This ranked choice voting system was first used in the 2022 elections beginning with the June 11th, 2022 special primary election.

This year, the House District 38 ballot has four candidates vying for the chance to represent District 38 which encompasses the following communities: Akiachak, Akiak, Atmautluak, Bethel, Chefornak, Chevak, Eek, Kasigluk, Kipnuk, Kongiganak, Kwethluk, Kwigillingok, Mekoryuk, Napakiak, Napaskiak, Newtok, Nightmute, Nunapitchuk, Oscarville, Quinhagak, Toksook Bay, Tuluksak, Tuntutuliak, and Tununak.

District 38 candidates are: Incumbent Conrad “CJ” McCormick – Democrat, and challengers Willy Keppel of Quinhagak – Registered Veterans of Alaska, Victoria Sosa of Bethel – Democrat, and Nellie “Unangiq” Jimmie of Toksook Bay – Democrat.

Candidates for House District 39 are: Incumbent Neal Foster of Nome – Democrat, and challenger Tyler Ivanoff of Shishmaref – AK Independence.

Communities in House District 39 include Alakanuk, Brevig Mission, Diomede, Elim, Emmonak, Gambell, Golovin, Hooper Bay, Kotlik, Koyuk, Marshall, Mountain Village, Nome No. 1, Nome No. 2, Nunam Iqua, Pilot Station, Russian Mission, Savoonga, Scammon Bay, Shaktoolik, Shishmaref, St. Mary’s, St. Michael, Stebbins, Teller, Unalakleet, and Wales.

Alaska is a no-excuse voting state. What does that mean? It means that anyone can apply to vote absentee by mail, fax, or online delivery. Anyone can vote using the early and in person voting options.