In the upcoming Nov. 5 general election in Alaska, voters will not only decide which presidential candidate will receive the state’s three electoral votes but also determine the outcome of the race for the sole U.S. House seat. Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola is facing a tough challenge from Republican Nick Begich under the state’s ranked-choice voting system. The result of this race could have significant national implications, as Republicans currently hold a slim majority in the U.S. House, and control of the chamber in the next Congress could hinge on the outcome of this particular race.
Peltola first won the U.S. House seat in a 2022 special election following the death of longtime Republican congressman Don Young. She emerged victorious in a field that included both Begich and former GOP governor and 2008 vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin. In Alaska, candidates across all parties run on the same primary ballot, with the top four vote-getters advancing to the general election. Peltola secured just over half of the all-party primary vote in August, while Begich and two other Republicans advanced to the general election. However, the other Republicans dropped out, leaving Begich as the sole Republican challenger to Peltola.
Two lesser-known candidates, John Wayne Howe of the Alaskan Independence Party and Eric Hafner, a Democrat currently serving a prison sentence in New York, have replaced the Republicans who dropped out of the race. Peltola and Begich remain the best-known and best-funded candidates, but the presence of these lesser-known candidates could potentially lead to a situation where neither Peltola nor Begich secures over 50% of the vote, triggering a ranked-choice voting scenario.
Under the ranked-choice voting system in Alaska, voters rank their preferred candidates in order of preference. Votes released on election night represent voters’ first-choice candidates. The candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and votes for that candidate are redistributed to the voters’ second-choice candidate. This process continues until a candidate surpasses a majority of the vote. The results of this ranked-choice voting process will be released on Nov. 20. In addition to the U.S. House race, voters in Alaska will also have the opportunity to weigh in on an initiative that seeks to eliminate ranked-choice voting and restore the traditional single-choice system, as well as other state races and measures.
Key races and candidates in Alaska’s 2024 election include the presidential contest between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, Republican former President Donald Trump, as well as other third-party candidates. The U.S. House race features a showdown between Peltola, Begich, Howe, and Hafner. Voters will also decide on a ballot measure aimed at repealing ranked-choice voting. Voter turnout and registration statistics from past elections are provided, along with information on pre-election day voting patterns. The vote-counting process and timeline for reporting election results are also detailed.
Overall, the upcoming election in Alaska presents a crucial moment for both the state and the nation, with the U.S. House race potentially playing a significant role in determining the balance of power in Congress. The ranked-choice voting system adds an element of uncertainty to the outcome, with Peltola and Begich facing competition from lesser-known candidates. As voters prepare to cast their ballots on Nov. 5, the race for the U.S. House seat in Alaska remains one to watch closely, as it could have far-reaching implications for the political landscape in the United States.
