June 15, 2020 •
Alaska Supreme Court Approves Election Reform Ballot Measure
Alaska State Capitol Buildling - Jay Galvin
The Alaska Supreme Court unanimously ruled an election reform initiative can appear on the November Ballot. The court upheld a lower court decision confirming the legality of a proposed ballot measure. This will be imposing ranked choice voting, nonpartisan primary […]
The Alaska Supreme Court unanimously ruled an election reform initiative can appear on the November Ballot.
The court upheld a lower court decision confirming the legality of a proposed ballot measure.
This will be imposing ranked choice voting, nonpartisan primary elections, and tough new rules on campaign finance disclosure.
In August of 2019, Attorney General Kevin Clarkson released an opinion stating the election reform initiative was unconstitutional under the single subject rule.
On his advice, the Division of Elections attempted to block the Better Elections committee from gathering signatures to put the issue on the ballot.
However, Superior Court Judge Yvonne Lamoureux ruled Clarkson’s analysis was incorrect.
Additionally she ordered the state to issue signature booklets and continue the certification process as the state appealed to the Supreme Court.
If approved by voters, the ballot measure would require additional reporting requirements for large donations to political campaigns.
February 17, 2020 •
Alaska Supreme Court Allows Recall Dunleavy to Begin Gathering Signatures
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy
The Alaska Supreme Court issued an order allowing the campaign to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy to begin collecting signatures. The decision reverses a lower court ruling pausing signature gathering and putting the case on an extremely speedy schedule by the […]
The Alaska Supreme Court issued an order allowing the campaign to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy to begin collecting signatures.
The decision reverses a lower court ruling pausing signature gathering and putting the case on an extremely speedy schedule by the standards of the court.
Oral arguments over the legality of the recall will be held on March 25.
The Division of Elections will begin printing petition booklets for Recall Dunleavy to collect the required 71, 252 signatures.
If the Supreme Court rules the recall campaign legal, any election would take place 60 to 90 days after the Division of Elections confirms enough signatures have been gathered.
January 30, 2020 •
Judge Places Recall Dunleavy Signature Gathering on Hold
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy
A superior court judge has delayed signature gathering for a campaign seeking to remove Gov. Mike Dunleavy from office. Judge Eric Aarseth issued a stay halting Recall Dunleavy from advancing its efforts, pending a decision from the Alaska Supreme Court. […]
A superior court judge has delayed signature gathering for a campaign seeking to remove Gov. Mike Dunleavy from office.
Judge Eric Aarseth issued a stay halting Recall Dunleavy from advancing its efforts, pending a decision from the Alaska Supreme Court.
The judge previously overruled a state Division of Elections decision rejecting the recall application.
Last week, there was some confusion over a stay, when the stay was issued and revoked a day later due to an error in the court system.
Although the ruling halts the recall campaign from moving forward with collecting signatures, both parties agreed to an expedited appeal.
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