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Elections in Alaska 26 August 2008
by Fairbanks | August 26, 2008 at 12:27 pm | 322 views | 3 comments | 9 recommendations
Today is polling day in Alaska and although it is mostly primary elections it should be of great National interest. Four questions will be decided, one concerning the mining industry, another how Fish & Game should manage the game units. I got so much mail about the mining issue that I needed a crowbar to clear the paper jam out of my mailbox. These issues have attracted a great deal of Outside funding for whatever reason.
Also at stake are the seats in Congress of Senator Ted Stevens and Representative Don Young, both with extreme seniority in Congress and both Republican and both vulnerable if they get past the Primaries.
Polls are open for another eight hours, so we'll see what's what at that time.
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Update results 27 Aug 2008
turnout 36%
Senator -
Democrat Mark Begich 84%
Republican Ted Stevens 63%
Representative -
Democrat Ethan Berkowitz 54%
Republican Parnell/Young undecided - too close to tell at 145 votes. Question ballots to be counted by 10 Sept, Absentee ballots by mid-Sept. Won't know until then
Measures -
1. Gaming Commission - No!
2. Aerial hunting - No!
3. Campaign expenses - No!
4. Mining - No!
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28 Aug update
The Parnell/Young difference is now 152 in favor of Young. The winner might be known next week and would be on the ticket in the November National election as the Republican candidate for the House of Representatives.
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29 Aug update Young is now up 151 over Parnell
Gov Sarah Palin is of course the subject of intense rumors right now. She signed the Natural Gas Pipeline Bill yesterday, so she would be free to serve if selected. Seems she is confirmed as McCain's running mate!
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29 Aug update: Dayton, OH. Gov Palin has accepted the selection. She introduced First Dude Todd Palin and some of their children, they are celebrating their 20th Anniversary today.
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3 Sept 2008 update: 14,000 absentee ballots yet to be counted. 11,000 question ballots yet to be examined. Not known how many are Republican. Young still up 151 over Parnell.
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7 Sept 2008 update: Most ballots counted, overseas absentee ballots still accepted until Wednesday. Young up 239. Election to be certified 18 Sept.
Don Young statement 5 Sept: "I remain confident the final results will give us a primary victory and we can move on to victory in the general election."
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9 Sept 2008 update: Both Parnell and Young say they will request a recount if they are behind and the count remains close. The recount would delay the final results by about two weeks.
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11 Sept 2008 update: Div of Elections has delayed final count of election a week until 17 Sept. Young still up 239. Young will request Parnell's backing and says Parnell has a good chance of becoming Governor.
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18 Sept 2008 update: Div of Elections final count Young wins by 304 votes. Parnell requests recount. Ten more days.
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18 Sept 2008 update: Parnell has conceded by e-mail to the Div of Elections. It's over!
August 26, 2008 at 12:27 pm by Fairbanks, 322 views, 3 comments
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (3)
at 08:04 on August 28th, 2008
Fairbanks, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 09:22 on September 19th, 2008
Thanks for this update. Could you explain what the measures were in this election and the results, and also what that means?
at 11:11 on September 19th, 2008
>the measures in this election
MEASURE NO. 1 - 05GAM2
1. Gaming Commission - No! This was whether to set up a State gambling commission. No vote meant no commission.
MEASURE NO. 2 - 05HUNT
2. Aerial hunting - No! This was whether to continue aerial hunting by Dept of Fish and Game of excess wolves. No vote meant to continue. This measure funded by Outside interests (outside the State)
MEASURE NO. 3 - 07CASE
3. Campaign expenses - No! This was whether to have State campaign finances rather than privately funded by donations.
MEASURE NO. 4 - 07WTR3
4. Mining - No! This was whether to shut down the Pebble Mine, one of the largest copper mines on earth. No vote meant to let it proceed. This measure funded by Outside interests (on both sides!)