The 2022 Midterm Elections are being held on November 8. As the University of Alaska Southeast welcomes the largest freshman class in years, the registration of new voters has become a critical issue, especially as the Juneau campus is set to open its doors as a polling location. 

Alaska has become a site of extraordinarily high interest this year, as a Senate Seat, our sole House Heat, and the Governor’s office are up for grabs. 

Mary Peltola defeated Sarah Palin in the special election for former Rep. Don Young’s seat in August, an upset victory that sent shockwaves throughout the nation as Alaska broke its 50-year trend of voting solidly Republican.

However, the seat is only temporarily held by Peltola, as the seat is up for a regular election in November. Peltola is running to hold the seat, but Republicans Palin and Begich are clamoring for their party’s support.

This combination of extraordinary factors, as well as a contentious Senate Race between incumbent Republican Lisa Murkowski and Trump-Endorsed far-right Republican Kelly Tshibaka, and a tight Gubernatorial race between incumbent Republican governor Mike Dunleavy, former Independent governor Bill Walker, and Democratic candidate Les Gara, make high voter turnout crucial in the future of Alaska’s representation in government.

However, when a sample of 20 students were asked whether or not they were registered to vote on Wednesday, 60% said they were not.

New voters can register online via the Alaska Division of Elections Website. It’s a brief process- and will enable you to participate in our democracy in the most effective way possible. 

Voters must register by Sunday, October 9 to vote in the 2022 Alaska Midterm Elections.

by AJ Schultz, Staff Writer, UAS Whalesong