A measure seeking to reform Alaska’s election system is on track to become law if current trends hold, after the Alaska Division of Elections more than 37,000 additional early, absentee and questioned ballots on Thursday.Elections officials are counting votes daily , with 326,840 of an estimated 361,000 ballots counted by 7 p.m. Thursday. More votes will be counted Friday.No state legislative races changed leaders in Thursday’s count, though several independent and Democratic candidates reduced the leads of challengers who received large shares of votes cast on Election Day.With about...…A measure seeking to reform Alaska’s election system is on track to become law if current trends hold, after the Alaska Division of Elections more than 37,000 additional early, absentee and questioned ballots on Thursday.Elections officials are counting votes daily , with 326,840 of an estimated 361,000 ballots counted by 7 p.m. Thursday. More votes will be counted Friday.No state legislative races changed leaders in Thursday’s count, though several independent and Democratic candidates reduced the leads of challengers who received large shares of votes cast on Election Day.With about...WW…

Eight Alaskans in Singapore, Honolulu, Canada and Fairbanks cast the first ballots in Alaska’s Nov. 3 general election, according to data released Friday by the Alaska Division of Elections.The data, released weekly before Election Day, shows those voters' absentee ballots were received by the state Thursday. Their votes, though the first to be received, will not be counted until after Election Day.Bailey Breedlove, one of the eight, voted in Alaska for the first time this year after graduating from college in Virginia and moving to Fairbanks with her spouse, who is in the military.“I’m a...…Eight Alaskans in Singapore, Honolulu, Canada and Fairbanks cast the first ballots in Alaska’s Nov. 3 general election, according to data released Friday by the Alaska Division of Elections.The data, released weekly before Election Day, shows those voters' absentee ballots were received by the state Thursday. Their votes, though the first to be received, will not be counted until after Election Day.Bailey Breedlove, one of the eight, voted in Alaska for the first time this year after graduating from college in Virginia and moving to Fairbanks with her spouse, who is in the military.“I’m a...WW…

The Alaska Division of Elections is reprinting 81,500 ballots in four state House districts after a Libertarian candidate said a new ballot design violated state law.Libertarian Scott Kohlhaas requested the reprinting — but did not request the correction of already-sent absentee ballots — after a redesign of the state’s ballot left off his political affiliation. Instead, he was listed on ballots only as “petition nominee,” referring to the way he had gathered signatures in order to be listed on the ballot. says the “names and the ” of petition-nominated candidates must be listed on the...…The Alaska Division of Elections is reprinting 81,500 ballots in four state House districts after a Libertarian candidate said a new ballot design violated state law.Libertarian Scott Kohlhaas requested the reprinting — but did not request the correction of already-sent absentee ballots — after a redesign of the state’s ballot left off his political affiliation. Instead, he was listed on ballots only as “petition nominee,” referring to the way he had gathered signatures in order to be listed on the ballot. says the “names and the ” of petition-nominated candidates must be listed on the...WW…

The Alaska Supreme Court on Friday declined to order the state of Alaska to reprint 800,000 new-design election ballots .The Supreme Court’s action, issued verbally, upholds an earlier decision by Anchorage Superior Court Judge Jennifer Henderson. It is a defeat for Galvin, who alleged that the new design is illegal under state law and the state constitution.“I’ve been a proud independent for my entire political life. I ran as an independent last time and it’s how I’m running now,” Galvin said. “While I’m disappointed and disagree with this last-minute decision by the Division of Elections,...…The Alaska Supreme Court on Friday declined to order the state of Alaska to reprint 800,000 new-design election ballots .The Supreme Court’s action, issued verbally, upholds an earlier decision by Anchorage Superior Court Judge Jennifer Henderson. It is a defeat for Galvin, who alleged that the new design is illegal under state law and the state constitution.“I’ve been a proud independent for my entire political life. I ran as an independent last time and it’s how I’m running now,” Galvin said. “While I’m disappointed and disagree with this last-minute decision by the Division of Elections,...WW…

A quiet change to Alaska’s 2020 general election ballot has drawn the ire of the Alaska Democratic Party, which says the move is biased, lacks transparency and was disclosed days before ballots are mailed to overseas voters.Candidates no longer have their party registrations listed on . Instead, they’re only listed as the nominee of a particular party or as having entered a race through the petition process.The change primarily affects Al Gross, running for U.S. Senate against incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan, and Alyse Galvin, running for U.S. House against longtime Republican incumbent...…A quiet change to Alaska’s 2020 general election ballot has drawn the ire of the Alaska Democratic Party, which says the move is biased, lacks transparency and was disclosed days before ballots are mailed to overseas voters.Candidates no longer have their party registrations listed on . Instead, they’re only listed as the nominee of a particular party or as having entered a race through the petition process.The change primarily affects Al Gross, running for U.S. Senate against incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan, and Alyse Galvin, running for U.S. House against longtime Republican incumbent...WW…

Alyse Galvin, the Democratic-nominated independent candidate for U.S. House, to force the state to reprint ballots that . The change also sparked outcry from Democrats and Libertarians and if it remains, means Alaska voters will see only the candidates' nominating party, or that they were nominated by petition, on their ballots.The suit claims the new ballot violates state law and harms Galvin, who has heavily advertised herself as an independent candidate. The new ballot design identifies Galvin solely as the Democratic nominee.“Galvin’s personal voter registration affiliation as...…Alyse Galvin, the Democratic-nominated independent candidate for U.S. House, to force the state to reprint ballots that . The change also sparked outcry from Democrats and Libertarians and if it remains, means Alaska voters will see only the candidates' nominating party, or that they were nominated by petition, on their ballots.The suit claims the new ballot violates state law and harms Galvin, who has heavily advertised herself as an independent candidate. The new ballot design identifies Galvin solely as the Democratic nominee.“Galvin’s personal voter registration affiliation as...WW…

An Alaska state legislator is among seven dead after two aircraft collided in midair Friday morning near Soldotna’s airport on the Kenai Peninsula, a crash witnessed by numerous people on the ground.One of the aircraft involved in the crash was a single-engine de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration. The agency originally described the other plane as a twin-engine Piper Aztec but by Friday afternoon had confirmed it was a Piper PA-12.The Beaver carried six people, : 57-year-old pilot Gregory Bell, of Soldotna; 40-year-old guide David...…An Alaska state legislator is among seven dead after two aircraft collided in midair Friday morning near Soldotna’s airport on the Kenai Peninsula, a crash witnessed by numerous people on the ground.One of the aircraft involved in the crash was a single-engine de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration. The agency originally described the other plane as a twin-engine Piper Aztec but by Friday afternoon had confirmed it was a Piper PA-12.The Beaver carried six people, : 57-year-old pilot Gregory Bell, of Soldotna; 40-year-old guide David...WW…

Alaska’s leading Republicans say they’re still planning to travel to the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida, next month despite rising coronavirus case counts and the accompanying health risk.On Thursday, the Republican National Committee that only regular delegates, and no alternates or guests, will be allowed during the first three days of the convention. Alternates and guests will be welcomed on the fourth night, when President Donald Trump is set to speak.U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has already said she won’t attend the convention, which takes place as...…Alaska’s leading Republicans say they’re still planning to travel to the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida, next month despite rising coronavirus case counts and the accompanying health risk.On Thursday, the Republican National Committee that only regular delegates, and no alternates or guests, will be allowed during the first three days of the convention. Alternates and guests will be welcomed on the fourth night, when President Donald Trump is set to speak.U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has already said she won’t attend the convention, which takes place as...WW…

A man after being coaxed from the air ducts of a building in downtown Juneau.The Juneau Police Department said 23-year-old River Eugene Parrish broke into , a building built in 1901 that now houses several businesses. Parrish remained in custody Monday, with a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday. He has not yet been appointed a defense attorney and is being held without bail.Jared Curé, the building’s owner, said a tenant alerted him Sunday morning to some interior damage. When he came to inspect the scene, he heard a voice coming from the ceiling of , a toy store in the building.“It was...…A man after being coaxed from the air ducts of a building in downtown Juneau.The Juneau Police Department said 23-year-old River Eugene Parrish broke into , a building built in 1901 that now houses several businesses. Parrish remained in custody Monday, with a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday. He has not yet been appointed a defense attorney and is being held without bail.Jared Curé, the building’s owner, said a tenant alerted him Sunday morning to some interior damage. When he came to inspect the scene, he heard a voice coming from the ceiling of , a toy store in the building.“It was...WW…

The head of the University of Alaska will resign on July 1, days after he for the top job at the University of Wisconsin.UA President Jim Johnsen will be replaced on an acting basis by the university’s vice president of university relations, chief budget and strategy officer Michelle Rizk.Johnsen’s resignation was a mutual decision by the University of Alaska Board of Regents and Johnsen, according to a written statement issued Monday by board chair Sheri Buretta and Rizk.“President Johnsen will be available to assist with the transition until July 1 when his resignation goes into effect,”...…The head of the University of Alaska will resign on July 1, days after he for the top job at the University of Wisconsin.UA President Jim Johnsen will be replaced on an acting basis by the university’s vice president of university relations, chief budget and strategy officer Michelle Rizk.Johnsen’s resignation was a mutual decision by the University of Alaska Board of Regents and Johnsen, according to a written statement issued Monday by board chair Sheri Buretta and Rizk.“President Johnsen will be available to assist with the transition until July 1 when his resignation goes into effect,”...WW…