The Division of Elections hasn’t begun counting any absentee ballots, and the outcomes of close elections won’t be known until next week.
Andrew Kitchenman
State Government Reporter, Alaska Public Media & KTOO
State government plays an outsized role in the life of Alaskans. As the state continues to go through the painful process of deciding what its priorities are, I bring Alaskans to the scene of a government in transition.
Here are the races to watch in the primary election
Tuesday is primary day in Alaska, but the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to drive down election day turnout. And a record number of Alaskans have requested absentee ballots. Since absentee ballot counting won’t start until a week after the primary election day, results of close races may not be known until the end of August.
Gov. Dunleavy names tribal health investment executive Schutt to Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board
Schutt said he’ll aim to strengthen the fund “for the long-term benefit of Alaskans, making sure that the permanent fund really is permanent.”
Gov. Dunleavy aims to boost unemployment benefits by $300, half the expired amount
Dunleavy’s announcement follows President Donald Trump’s executive order to provide up to $400 in additional benefits.
Al Gross faces two opponents for Alaska’s Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate
Gross’s campaign has more than $5 million in funds, according to the most recent federal filings. Both of his opponents have raised no money.
Alaskans of different ethnic backgrounds are contracting COVID-19 at different rates
Alaskans of Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander ethnicity make up 4% of the cases in the state, while they’re only 1% of the population.