Election news still reverberating for voters…tribal member and Democratic U.S. House Representative Mary Peltola beat out Alaska’s Sarah Palin for the states only House seat. Peltola embraced the legacy of her Republican predecessor, the late Rep. Don Young, as she sought a two-year term in a race that also included Libertarian Chris Bye. Under ranked voting, ballots are counted in rounds. A candidate can win outright with more than 50% of the vote in the first round. If no one hits that threshold, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. Voters who chose that candidate as their top pick have their votes count for their next choice.
No weed on our watch!!! North and South Dakota rejected the option to add their names to the list of more than 19 states and the District of Columbia to permit the recreational smoking of pot. In North Dakota, Ballot Measure 2 was struck down, with almost 55% of voters casting ballots against it to 45% in favor, according to unofficial state results. The measure would have legalized the adult use of marijuana in the state, with those over the age of 21 able to possess a limited amount of cannabis product. Voters in South Dakota similarly voted down Ballot Measure 27, which would have legalized the use and possession of recreational marijuana in the state for adults. Under the measure, individuals would have been permitted to possess or distribute up to one ounce of pot. The vote, according to state results, was 52% against the measure.
