Voter privacy could be at risk, judge says

“…given the fundamental nature of the rights at stake, the seriousness of the allegations and the existence of similar litigation in other states, this court shall allow this case to proceed to discovery and fact-finding that will determine whether plaintiffs’ claims have merit.” - Judge Adolf Zeman, in his denial of the state’s request to dismiss a case that claims the Alaska Division of Elections may have violated the Alaska Constitution’s right to privacy when it turned over voter rolls to the federal government.

(Photo by Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)

Alaska voters’ privacy could be at risk from state’s handling of voter rolls, judge says

By James Brooks

An Alaska Superior Court judge said last week that the Alaska Division of Elections may have violated the Alaska Constitution’s right to privacy when it handed an uncensored version of the state’s voter list to the U.S. Department of Justice last year.

(Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)

With 2 weeks until midterms, analysts say Dems still on track to win US House majority

By Jacob Fischler

Democrats have used President Donald Trump’s unpopularity to expand the midterm map, and analysts project the party carries momentum heading into the final two weeks of the election cycle, even as Democrats are expected to flip fewer U.S. House seats than wave elections this century.

(Photo by Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)

This midterm election, 21 Alaska judges are on the ballot for retention

By Corinne Smith

Early in-person voting opened Monday across the state, and in addition to high-stakes races for governor and U.S. Congress voters also have a chance to weigh in on whether or not to allow 21 judges to remain on the bench.

(Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

COMMENTARY

Alaskans should decide the future of Alaska seabed mining

By Author Name

What happens when an experimental industry tears up vast swaths of the seabed and everything that lives on it? What happens when it dumps everything back into the water except a few minerals that are immediately taken out of our state? What happens when we don’t know what technology will be used, when there’s scarce environmental analysis, when the financing is unclear and when there’s no chance to engage? This is the future of offshore seabed mining that the federal administration and industry interests want to force on Alaska.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Whittier honored for supporting the World War II effort in Alaska | Yereth Rosen
Operator of Alaska North Slope oil field hit by a second fine for gas flaring | Yereth Rosen
As Alaska fuel costs spike, this state agency chose three tiny villages for $25,000 relief checks. | Anchorage Press
Early voting for Alaska’s general election opens in Juneau, Nome and across the Railbelt | James Brooks
Alaskans join nationwide No Kings rally focused on getting out the vote | Corinne Smith
Trump administration moves to reopen Alaska national preserves to bear baiting by sport hunters | Yereth Rosen

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