Dear Jess,

The General Election is November 5. Nineteen judges are up for retention, which will be the last item on your ballot. As Alaskans for Fair Courts reminded us a few weeks ago, it’s critical that we, as voters, know how to make informed choices about retaining our judges and… to complete the ballot. There’s more on that below, along with a number of other great resources to check out before we go to the polls. 

Alaska Common Ground was pleased to host Alaskans for Fair Courts (AFC) on September 17 for a discussion about Alaska’s robust judicial selection and retention system laid out in our Constitution and recognized as the gold standard around the country. AFC is a nonprofit that provides nonpartisan information about the integrity of these processes - and as a result, the quality of Alaska’s judiciary. They described how our judges are selected and evaluated by the Alaska Judicial Council (the entire process takes a full year!), and how the system aims to ensure quality judges are placed and retained based on their performance, ethics, and ability to follow the law - not on political grounds, as is the case in many states.

Judges up for retention are included at the end of the General Election ballot. Unfortunately, many voters skip completing this section because they are unsure of who to vote for, and more and more, voters are seeing ideological campaigns opposing certain judges, adding to the confusion. But what we were reminded is that Alaskans can feel confident about voting the recommendations put forward by the Alaska Judicial Council because of its rigorous processes, and how important it is to educate ourselves with the full breadth of resources available to make our own decisions - not based on campaign ads. The Alaska Judicial Council publishes all of their comprehensive performance evaluations and recommendations on their website, and we encourage you to take a look before you vote on November 5. And, be sure to finish your ballot! Retention elections for judges are a critical way for Alaskans to be engaged in our democracy.

Community Solar Bill Signed into Law

The Community Solar bill that ACG highlighted in our Renewable Energy Legislation events during the last legislative session was signed into law by Governor Dunleavy on August 13, 2024. This community energy program will eventually allow users who can’t install their own solar panels - because for example, you may rent or can’t afford the upfront cost of installing panels - to subscribe to solar power generated elsewhere. Now the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) has a year to implement regulations for the program. Want to revisit these events? Check out the links below!

Important Upcoming Election Dates:

• October 6: Deadline to register to vote in the November 5 General Election. Register here.
• October 21: Early in-person voting begins and continues through November 4. Find those locations here.
• October 26: Last day to request an absentee ballot. Request a ballot here. Note: You WILL NOT receive a ballot in the mail unless you request one before the deadline!
• November 5: 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.

There is a lot more information on the Division of Elections website including how to check your voter registration status.

Alaska Vote 411:

Alaska Vote 411 is a voter information guide compiled by the League of Women Voters of Alaska to see what's on your ballot, learn where candidates running for office in your district stand on the issues, find your polling place, learn about upcoming debates and forums in your area, and more.

Alaska Beacon 2024 Voter Guide:

Alaska Beacon - an independent, nonpartisan news organization focused on connecting Alaskans to their state government - published a 2024 Voter Guide available here. 

Ballot Measure 2: Repealing Ranked Choice Voting

Sunday, October 20

4-5:30 pm

Loussac Library Assembly Chambers - 3600 Denali Street, Anchorage

Livestream Available on our YouTube Channel

On the November 5 ballot, Measure 2 is titled “An Act Restoring Political Party Primaries and Single-Choice General Elections" and would repeal Alaska's ranked choice voting system adopted by voters in 2022.

As part of ACG’s long-standing tradition of public forums around ballot initiatives, we invite you to a discussion on Ballot Measure 2, with panelists making their case for "Yes: Repeal Ranked Choice Voting" and "No: Keep Ranked Choice Voting."

The ranked choice system created an open nonpartisan primary where all candidates appear on one ballot. The four candidates with the most votes in the primary election then have their names placed on the general election ballot. It also established ranked choice voting for the general election. Voters have the option to “rank” up to four candidates in order of choice. If the initiative passes and ranked choice voting is repealed, Alaska will return to the closed primary and single-choice general election system it used prior to the change in 2022.

Information about the bill, including the language that will be on the ballot, can be found here.

No Registration required.

Townhall Series - Demystifying Community Councils

Anchorage’s Federation of Community Councils is hosting a series of town halls to help residents better understand and engage in the Community Council process. There are two sessions remaining in the series:

Navigating Community Council Meetings: Mastering Meeting Format, Robert's Rules, and Articulating Your Opinions

Monday, October 21, 2024

7:00 - 8:00pm

In Person at Wilda Marston Theater and via Zoom

Guiding Community Council Meetings: Leading Diverse Stakeholders with Vision

Monday, November 19, 2024

7:00 - 8:00pm

In Person at Wilda Marston Theater and via Zoom

Anchorage Youth Vote Candidate Forum Watch Party

Thursday, October 20

7:00 PM

Wendy Williamson Auditorium

Anchorage Youth Vote is hosting a candidate forum and mock election for Alaska’s U.S. House seat conducted through the Anchorage School District. Youth Vote members posed questions to candidates who were invited to submit video responses. The community is invited to join the watch party! Email anchorageyouthvote@gmail.com with questions.

ACG wishes to congratulate FashionPact, a community-minded resale boutique, for achieving a truly newsworthy milestone - over $250,000 donated to local nonprofits like us! ACG has been a FashionPact “ally” almost since they opened. We are grateful to Brittani and her team for this ongoing and meaningful partnership. If you haven’t already, please be sure to check FashionPact out and tell them ACG sent you. Our thanks to everyone who has already!