The number of elections in Alaska varies by year, but typically municipal elections occur every year, plus primary and general elections for federal and state offices occur during even-numbered years. Alaska has a gubernatorial election every four years. Members of the state's United States congressional delegation run for election or re-election at the times set out in the United States Constitution. Primary elections assist in choosing political parties' nominees for various positions. On a regional basis (see list of boroughs and census areas in Alaska), elections also cover municipal issues. In addition, a special election can occur at any time.
As of 2014, registered voters in Alaska were given a choice between three primary ballots reflecting a semi-closed primary system. Specifically, Democratic, Libertarian and Independent candidates were listed on one ballot available to all registered voters and Republican candidates were listed on a second ballot available to voters registered as Republican, Nonpartisan or Undeclared.
Alaska elections, 2012Alaskans have voted in United States presidential elections since 1960. With the exception of the candidacy of Barry Goldwater in 1964, the Republican Party has carried Alaska in every presidential election.
Alaska has a Class II Senator (currently Dan Sullivan) and a Class III Senator (currently Lisa Murkowski). Alaska first elected Senators in 1956 under the "Alaska-Tennessee Plan." They had no vote in the Senate, but were sent to represent Alaska as if they were, to lobby for statehood, and to assume the office of senator should the situation arise. Alaska's first voting senators were elected in the 1958 election; it was a special election due to the former territory's pending admission as a state.
United States Senate election in Alaska, 2014United States Senate election in Alaska, 2008United States Senate election in Alaska, 2002United States Senate election in Alaska, 1996United States Senate election in Alaska, 1990United States Senate election in Alaska, 1984United States Senate election in Alaska, 1978United States Senate election in Alaska, 1972United States Senate election in Alaska, 1966United States Senate election in Alaska, 1960United States Senate election in Alaska, 2016United States Senate election in Alaska, 2010United States Senate election in Alaska, 2004United States Senate election in Alaska, 1998United States Senate election in Alaska, 1992United States Senate election in Alaska, 1986United States Senate election in Alaska, 1980United States Senate election in Alaska, 1974United States Senate election in Alaska, 1968United States Senate election in Alaska, 1962Alaska has had a single congressional district in the United States House of Representatives since statehood was granted in 1959.
United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 2016United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 2014United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 2012United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 2010United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 2008United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 2006United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 2004United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 2002United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 2000United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1998United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1996United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1994United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1992United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1990United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1988United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1986United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1984United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1982United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1980United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1978United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1976United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1974United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1972United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1970United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1968United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1966United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1964United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1962United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1960United States House of Representatives election in Alaska, 1958Alaska gubernatorial election, 2014Alaska gubernatorial election, 2010Alaska gubernatorial election, 2006Alaska gubernatorial election, 2002Alaska gubernatorial election, 1998Alaska gubernatorial election, 1990Alaska gubernatorial election, 1986Alaska gubernatorial election, 1982Alaska gubernatorial election, 1978Alaska gubernatorial election, 1974Alaska gubernatorial election, 1970Alaska gubernatorial election, 1966Alaska gubernatorial election, 1962Alaska gubernatorial election, 1958Alaska Senators have terms of four years; half of them are elected every two years. Alaska Representatives have terms of two years; all of them are elected every two years. The state's redistricting process allows the power to shorten the terms of state senators should a redistricting action substantially alter their district.
Alaska state elections, 2016Alaska state elections, 2014Alaska state elections, 2012Alaska state elections, 2010Alaska state elections, 2008Alaska state elections, 2006Alaska state elections, 2004Alaska state elections, 2002Alaska state elections, 2000Alaska state elections, 1998Alaska state elections, 1996Alaska state elections, 1994Virtually all of the state's municipalities hold their general elections in early October, with the notable exception of Anchorage. North Pole for many years held their elections in November, in the process holding them on the same day as state elections on even-numbered years, but eventually abandoned that in favor of October elections. Anchorage switched from an early October election day to one in early April around 1992.
There are four qualified political parties.
Democratic Party (see also Alaska Democratic Party)Libertarian PartyRepublican Party (see also Alaska Republican Party)Alaskan Independence PartyLawsuits launched by Joe Vogler and Jim Sykes, among other lawsuits, led the Alaska Legislature to eventually revamp and relax laws pertaining to party status and ballot access. The first instance of a minor party gaining recognition came in 1982, when the gubernatorial candidacy of Dick Randolph under the Libertarian Party was successful enough to meet the existing party recognition threshold.
