“For us to have pushed absentee (voting) as a way of good practice … it builds that deep callus of voter apathy when we have to worry about whether or not this exercise even works.” - Michelle Sparck, director of Get Out the Native Vote, on the disqualification of absentee ballots from rural Alaska because of mail delays.
(Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
By James Brooks
About 1 in 30 absentee ballots cast in Alaska’s August primary election were rejected for procedural errors, according to data published this month by the Alaska Division of Elections.
(Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
By James Brooks
The Alaska Court System is now offering automatic reminders by text message for people with upcoming court hearings, part of an effort to reduce the number of missed appearances.
(Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)
By Jacob Fischler
Voting rights groups and Democratic officials are looking to defend against what they see as possible election interference from the Trump administration ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, now that they’ve won a major battle over mail ballots.
(Photo courtesy Keith Coulter)
COMMENTARY
By Keith Coulter
While environmentalists oppose the Trump administration’s proposed rollback of the Roadless Rule, which would remove prohibitions on road construction and logging on nearly 59 million acres of national forest, I see this as an opportunity for professional foresters to manage federal land, reduce wildfire risk and boost the economy.
Do you have questions for candidates?
We'll ask.
Upcoming political debates
Sept. 16: Alaska Hospital and Healthcare Association forum in Girdwood — JKT, Wilson and Bronson have confirmed
Sept. 17, 4 p.m.: Commonwealth North forum, Anchorage — Bronson, JKT and Taylor confirmed; Wilson confirmed no
Sept. 19, 2 p.m.: Mat-Su Chamber forum
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Alaska gubernatorial forum puts healthcare at center stage | Yereth Rosen
Commentary: In Alaska, the food vote is especially important | Robbie Mixon and Rachel Lord
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