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Alaska Common Ground
Fall 2022 Newsletter
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Are you ready to vote on November 8? |
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Greetings!
We made it through a historic Primary and Special General Election in August, now let’s get ready for the General Election on November 8. Alaska Common Ground has again gathered many of the critical details and important dates we all need to know on our website here, including links to the Alaska Division of Elections to check your voter registration status, polling place locations, and absentee application. But before you vote, be sure to check out the informational events below and read why ACG opposes a Constitutional Convention!
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ACG Opposes a Constitutional Convention |
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On the November general election ballot, Alaskan voters will be asked: “Shall there be a Constitutional Convention”. At our March 16, 2022 board meeting, Alaska Common Ground’s Board of Directors unanimously passed a resolution supporting a “No” vote. You can read our resolution here. Alaska’s Constitution has been held up as a model state constitution that secures our heritage of political, civil, and religious liberty. A Constitutional Convention could rewrite the entire Alaska Constitution.
Groups advocating changes to Alaska’s elections, judiciary, hunting and fishing rights, rights to privacy, Permanent Fund, and more are already laying out plans for fundamental and extremely controversial changes to our Constitution. These issues will pit Alaskans against each other, with out-of-state individuals and organizations pushing their national agendas that will not be in the best interest of Alaskans.
The ACG board is concerned that a Constitutional Convention during these polarized times will be contentious, costly, and time consuming. ACG rarely takes positions on issues before the voters, but in the past has opposed a Constitutional Convention for similar reasons. We have joined with Defend Our Constitution, a nonpartisan and broad-based coalition of Alaskans and Alaskan organizations to urge a “No” vote on this issue.
To learn more, read what Alaskans from diverse political backgrounds who are advocating for a “No” vote have to say:
By: Larry Persily
By: Frank Murkowski
By: Mara Kimmel
By: Win Gruening
By: Joe Geldhof
By: Paul Jenkins
By: Gordon Harrison
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Important Upcoming Election Dates |
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October 9: Deadline to register to vote in the November 8 General Election. You can register here.
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October 24: Early in-person voting begins and continues through November 7. You can find those locations here.
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October 29: Last day to request an absentee ballot. You can request that ballot here. Note: You WILL NOT receive a ballot in the mail unless you request one before the deadline!
- November 8: Regular General Election – Rank UP TO FOUR candidates (the top 4 vote-getters from the August 16 primary) in your order of preference for each seat – including yet ANOTHER vote for a US House candidate to serve a full 2-year term.
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Alaska's New Election System:
Learn More About Ranked Choice Voting
Tuesday, October 18
7:00 to 8:30 pm
We made it through the Primary and Special General Election in August! For the General Election on November 8, we will use ranked choice voting for the top 4 vote getters from the Primary in each race.
Would you like to better understand how ranked choice voting works? We are delighted to host a third free event featuring election experts to explain further and answer audience questions. Please join us and invite your friends!
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“Shall there be a constitutional convention?”:
A debate on November’s ballot question
Hosted by Alaska Public Media and UAA Seawolf Debate
Thursday, September 29
7:00 to 8:30 pm
Wendy Williamson Auditorium, UAA
Every 10 years Alaskans are asked “Shall there be a constitutional convention.” In the November 2022 General Election, Alaskans will once again decide this question on ballot measure 1. Alaska Public Media and the UAA Seawolf Debate Team are hosting this free debate between advocates on both sides of the issue. Moderated by veteran journalist Lori Townsend, the debate will include questions from a panel of reporters from Alaska Public Media, Alaska Beacon, and Anchorage Daily News. Learn more here.
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Learn how to bring solar to your neighborhood
Hosted by The Alaska Center
Thursday, October 6
6:00 pm
Solarize is a community-driven bulk-purchasing program for small-scale solar. Bringing communities together to drive down the high upfront cost of solar by achieving a volume discount and making solar installation simple and accessible to homeowners. Last year, The Alaska Center held its first program in the Mat-Su area and is continuing efforts in Anchorage and Mat-Su. Find out more and register for the free zoom event here.
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Mat-Su Transportation Fair
Hosted by Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Thursday, October 20
3:00 to 7:00 pm
Curtis D Menard Memorial Sports Center, 1001 S Clapp Street, Wasilla
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ACG Legacy Fund: For the Next 30 Years |
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In celebration of ACG’s 30th anniversary and initiated by a generous gift from longtime board member Mary Lu Harle, we’re pleased to announce the creation of the Alaska Common Ground Legacy Fund at The Alaska Community Foundation. If you’d like to support ACG’s efforts for the next 30 years, please consider making a special gift here. If you prefer to donate with a check, click here for more information. Thank you for your support!
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“As a founding member of Alaska Common Ground and board member for the past 10 years, I’m more inspired than ever by ACG’s mission to inform and engage Alaskans. My hope is the Legacy Fund will enable ACG to make a difference for many more years to come. Happy Anniversary!”
~ Mary Lu Harle
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And please be sure to check out all the other ways to support ACG here. |
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