Tonight we finally received the result of our special election for US House Representative from Alaska. Special because our former Rep died in office and the law called for an election over an appointment. And finally because Alaska has moved to ranked choice voting which requires a longer tabulation time. But at 4pm our certified results came in and we now have Mary Peltola heading to DC.
Of course, we have another election in November so her current term is four months. But we have high hopes of retaining her. Since Brian and I will be Back East this fall, we think we might have to swing down to D.C. Mary is the first ever Alaska Native to represent us at a national level. Beyond that she is pro-choice, pro-fish, and an all-around neat person. Seeing her in D.C. would be historic.
https://alaskapublic.org/2022/08/31/mary-peltola-wins-alaskas-special-u-s-house-race/
(if you're curious about ranked choice voting, there are lots of explainers)
https://alaskapublic.org/2022/08/31/heres-how-alaskas-first-ranked-choice-election-will-be-counted/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvaJbC4lSPk
