In the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, we face unprecedented challenges regarding our lands, waters, and ways of life. We face a stark choice: to allow the development of Donlin, which would become one of the world’s largest open-pit gold mines in the Crooked Creek watershed and headwaters of the Kuskokwim, or to stand united against this irresponsible project that threatens to pollute our waters, lands, fish, animals, and the health of our people for generations to come.
On November 5, voters in District 38 must choose our representative for the State Legislature. We can support Rep. CJ McCormick, who has clearly opposed Donlin after listening to the majority of tribes, YKHC, AVCP, and Calista shareholders in our region.
Alternatively, we could choose Nellie Jimmie, who has remained silent on this critical issue but is endorsed by Calista, whose board members continue to back the project despite significant opposition from shareholders. Additionally, Nellie Jimmie’s APOC reports show campaign contributions from Donlin Gold employees and Calista board members.
During his first term, Rep. McCormick introduced HB 357, the “Balance for the Kuskokwim River Act,” aimed at protecting the water quality in the Kuskokwim watershed from degradation. He has also tirelessly advocated for Indigenous representation in fisheries management, including positions on the Federal North Pacific Fisheries Management Council, the Alaska Board of Fish, and the Legislature’s Joint Seafood Industry Task Force.
We, the voters of District 38, need to send Rep. McCormick back to the Legislature to continue advocating for our communities and fisheries, and to work tirelessly to protect our treasured ways of life. This op-ed is my personal opinion and not that of the Bethel Native Corporation Board I sit on.
Beverly Hoffman
Bethel, AK
Merkley statement on President Biden issuing a Presidential Apology for Federal Indian Boarding School Era
Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, Chair of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, today released the following statement after reports that President Biden will issue a presidential apology for the Federal Indian Boarding School era and the pain it inflicted on Native American children and Tribal communities for generations:
The Federal Indian Boarding School era was a shameful, dark chapter in American history. A presidential apology is an important step toward repairing the harm and acknowledging the ongoing, generational trauma caused by these historic wrongs to Tribes who have lived on this land since time immemorial.
The government’s actions tore children from their families and communities and removed them from their culture. We need to learn from the mistakes of the past and continually consult Tribal communities to fully repair this lasting, generational damage. As Chair of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, I have secured $21 million to date for Interior Secretary Haaland’s Indian Boarding School Initiative to examine and help repair these devastating, historic wrongs. I’ll keep fighting to secure funding for this important initiative and to uphold our commitment to honoring the solemn promise that the United States has made to Tribal communities to fulfill our trust and treaty obligations.
Office of U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley
Washington, D.C.
Vote NO on Ballot Measure 2
The League of Women Voters of Alaska urges you to vote NO on Ballot Measure 2. Why? A Yes vote would return Alaska to party-controlled closed primaries and to general elections in which the candidate need not win an outright majority to be elected.
In 2020, Alaska voters approved a ballot measure which was a citizen-initiated ballot measure that replaced partisan primaries with open top four primaries and established Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) for general elections, including the presidential election. Under open primaries, candidates run in a single primary election, regardless of a candidate’s party affiliation.
Advantages of Open Primaries
With open primaries, citizens can vote for the candidates of their choice regardless of political party. As Chris Bye wrote, “[An] open primary ensures that independent-minded Alaskans have a voice as well. Remember, We the People — not they the parties — get to decide who WE want to represent us.” Roughly 60% of Alaska voters are not registered as Republican or Democrat.
Advantages of Ranked Choice Voting
Under the old system, in 16 previous races for statewide office, the winners received less than 50% of the votes, one as low as 38%. With Ranked Choice Voting, the winning candidate must have over 50% of the vote.
RCV encourages civil campaigning because winning candidates need to appeal to all Alaskans, not just those in their own party. This reduces demonizing an opponent and creating distrust between neighbors and family who have different opinions.
The shift to open primaries and ranked-choice voting was a change, but Alaskans are tough, resilient, and smart, and can see the advantages of RCV and open primaries. We made it through the last midterm election using our new voting system with flying colors!
More and more states are looking at Ranked Choice Voting and open primaries as a step forward. Let’s continue to take the lead by Voting NO on 2.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that neither endorses nor opposes candidates or political parties but does take positions on select issues and policies that affect voters.
Sue Sherif
League of Women Voters of Alaska
Fairbanks, AK
No on 2 Endorsed by 22 Alaska Labor Unions
Unions representing construction workers, state employees, fire fighters, hotel workers, grocery store employees, plumbers, and more are coming together to Vote No on 2.
Alaska’s labor unions all across the state are endorsing the No on 2 campaign to protect Alaska’s open primaries and ranked choice voting.
“Ballot measure 2 would be a blow to Alaskan workers. Open primaries give Alaskans the freedom to choose whoever they want for political office and that freedom must be protected” said Heidi Drygas, ASEA-PAC Director. “Alaskan workers must be able to vote for the candidates that best align with their values, no matter their political affiliation. Ballot measure 2 would put political parties above the voices of Alaska’s workers.”
“Alaska’s workers are the backbone of Alaska, they deserve the right to vote for the candidates that represent them best—which is why we’re coming forward to protect our voting system from the partisan overreach of Ballot Measure 2. We encourage all Alaskans to vote No on 2,” said Alaska AFL-CIO President Joelle Hall. “Alaska’s combination of open primaries and ranked choice voting gives every Alaskan voter a voice in the future of our state and allows candidates to work across the aisle to do what’s best for their constituents without fear of punishment from their parties.”
Open primaries and ranked choice voting empowers voters, increases competition, and fosters more representative, accountable leadership. By endorsing No on 2, labor unions are taking a significant stand for the voting rights of working families and protecting all Alaskans’ freedom to vote for any candidate in any election, regardless of political party.
As the November 5th general election nears, No on 2 looks forward to standing alongside Alaska’s hardworking union members to encourage Alaskans to vote no on Ballot Measure 2.
About No on 2:
No on 2 represents a coalition of community groups, civic organizations, and individual Alaskans from across the political spectrum and all over the state. All Alaskans have the freedom to vote for any candidate in any election, regardless of political party, but ballot measure 2 seeks to strip that freedom away. We’re working to protect that freedom.
We’re proud to be endorsed by Alaskans and Alaskan organizations from across the state. For more information or to get involved, see our website.
No on 2
Anchorage AK
