By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Harrigan Centennial Hall in Tuesday’s general election, with contests for state and federal offices and a question about the constitutional convention on the ballot.
The ballot also includes questions about judge retention.
A sample ballot is available from the state Division of Elections, at www.elections.alaska.gov.
Today is the last day for absentee in-person voting, and passersby at the Centennial Hall voting site said there has been a steady stream of voters casting ballots there before absentee in-person voting closes today.
The ranked choice ballot in Sitka lists choices for U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, governor/lieutenant governor, State Senator for District A, and State Representative for House District 2.
The ballot question, which will be decided by a simple majority, asks, “Shall there be a constitutional convention? Yes or No.”
In the local state contests, incumbent Bert Stedman (Republican), is running against Mike Sheldon of Petersburg, also a Republican, for the Senate District A seat. Sitkan Rebecca Himschoot (nonpartisan) is facing Kenny Skaflestad, a Republican from Hoonah, for the seat currently occupied by Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, a Democrat.
In the other ranked choice contests, incumbent U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican, is facing two other Republicans, Buzz Kelley and Kelly Tshibaka, and Democrat Patricia Chesbro.
Running for the U.S. House seat previously held by Don Young, and currently held by Mary Peltola, are Peltola, a Democrat; Chris Bye, a Libertarian; and two Republicans, Sarah Palin and Nick Begich.
Candidates for governor are incumbent Mike Dunleavy and Charlie Pierce, both Republicans; Democrat Les Gara; and Bill Walker, nonpartisan.
On the ballot for retention are judges in Superior Court, the Court of Appeals, and District Court. Superior Court Judge Jude Pate, Amy Mead and Daniel Schally are up for retention, as is Kirsten Swanson, judge for the first judicial district court, and Bethany Harbison, judge for the Court of Appeals.
