Dunleavy Administration Issues Proclamation For Special Election Dates

Governor Mike Dunleavy formally issued his proclamation for the special election dates in declaring a vacancy in the Office of the United States Representative, a seat held by the late Congressman Don Young. The U.S. Constitution requires an election for a vacant U.S. House Seat, not allowing for appointments. Gov. Dunleavy’s proclamation states that there will be a by-mail special primary election on Saturday, June 11, 2022, and a special election shall be held on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, for the purpose of filling the United States Representative’s seat.

Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer stated:

“Once the governor makes his proclamation, we hope to have all this done by April 1. The filing will end April 1. We need that deadline, then, to know who the candidates are, get the ballots printed, and then get them sent to the overseas military and others that live internationally. The federal law then says that they have to have their ballots in 45 days before the election. There’s not a whole lot of time there, but what this does allow us though with this timing and then if we work the timing correctly is that we can then do the special general election at the same time we do the regular primary election, which will be August 16. This at least will save, and by the way, that will be done in a traditional matter, that election. As was mentioned, the ballot will not only include the normal primary candidates, but it will also include the special general election, which will be the ranked choice.”

The special primary election will be an open, non-partisan primary where the top four candidates advance. This election will not determine party nominees. The special election will be a ranked choice election, where voters may rank up to four candidates and a write-in candidate from first to last.

Under the provisions of AS 15.40.140 – 15.40.160, when a vacancy occurs in the office of United States Representative, the governor is required to call an election not less than 60 nor more than 90 days after the date of vacancy, and the call is to be made at least 50 days prior to the date set for election. Even though the special election will occur on the same day – and on the same ballot – as the primary election, these are two different elections.