Alaska Voters Begin In-Person Voting for Judicial Retention
Alaska voters began in-person voting Monday to decide the retention of 21 judges, including two who received rare non-retention recommendations from the Alaska Judicial Council.
In-person voting began Monday in Alaska for midterm elections that will determine the retention of 21 judges across the state's District, Superior, and Supreme courts. The process allows voters in each judicial district to cast ballots until polls close at 8 p.m. on November 3.
The Alaska Judicial Council recommended retaining 18 of the judges but took the unusual step of recommending against the retention of Kelly J. Lawson of the Kenai Superior Court and Martin Fallon of the Kenai District Court. This represents the first time in 12 years that the council has issued a recommendation for a no vote. Additionally, the council issued no recommendation for Marianna Carpeneti of the Juneau Superior Court.
These recommendations follow performance evaluations that cited failures in judicial temperament, integrity, diligence, and administrative skills. The council serves as the nonpartisan body that vets judges before they are appointed by the governor.
