#Alaska November 14

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Today’s contribution to the 30-Day Election Trivia Coach4aday Challenge is on the history of elections in ALASKA.

ALASKA as a state has a relative short history in comparison to the 13 original colonies when it comes to elections especially for President and Congress.

Alaska Election History

The Last Frontier State first elected Senators in 1956 under the “Alaska–Tennessee Plan.” They had no vote in the Senate but were sent to represent the terrotory as if they were, to lobby for statehood, and to assume the office of senator should the situation arise.

The first group that went in 1956 included Alaskan’s elected two US senators, Earnest Gruening and William A. Egan, and one representative, Ralph J. Rivers. Their purpose was to lobby for statehood.

In 1958 with Statehood approved Alaska elected their first two voting senators Earnest Gruening and Bob Bartlett.

When it comes to Presidential Elections Alaska doesn’t always vote for the eventual winner. In fact, in the 16 Presidential Elections Alaskans on 7 occasions have voted for the runner-up.

The chart below taking from Wikipedia shows which years Alaska went with the candidates that did not succeed.