Update: Polls closed at 8 p.m. in Alaska’s nonpartisan primary. Election results will begin to roll in soon. You can find up-to-date reporting from Alaska Public Media as results are available. KCAW will post links to reporting on statewide races here:
View the unofficial primary election results here
Original report: Today, Tuesday August 18, is primary election day in Alaska. Polls opened at Sitka’s Harrigan Centennial Hall starting at 7 a.m. this morning.
Under Alaska’s election system, the top four vote-getters — regardless of political party — advance to the November general election for the United States Senate, House, and the governor’s seat.
The race for governor has remained expansive, with 17 candidates on the ticket. The lists of candidates running to unseat Alaska’s incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan and Representative Nick Begich are nearly as long.
For Sitka’s representatives at the state level, the primary and general election ballots will likely look similar. District A Senator Bert Stedman is running unopposed. Incumbent Representative Rebecca Himschoot, a nonpartisan candidate, has two challengers- Republican Kenny Karl Skaflestad and Alston Evans, who is undeclared.
The August 18 primary includes just one ballot measure. Ballot Measure 1, which would change the amount of money individuals and groups can give to campaigns in Alaska, will appear on today’s primary ballot. It will not advance to the general election in November. The ballot measures on ranked choice voting and citizenship voting will only appear on the general election ballot in November.
Polls at Harrigan Centennial Hall will close at 8 p.m. tonight.
Find links to a sample ballot, voter registration information, and a voter guide here.
