Alaska voters choose open governor's seat in 36-race field

Anchorage residents and voters across the state are heading to the polls this Tuesday, November 3, to cast ballots in the midterm elections. Polling places in Alaska are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., though the state spans both the Alaska and Hawaii-Aleutian time zones. According to Ballotpedia, anyone in line when polls close is entitled to vote, and voters should verify their specific polling location at vote.gov. The state is deciding its next governor in an open seat, as no incumbent is on the ballot. Parties listed for the race include the Democratic, Nonpartisan, and Republican parties.

The gubernatorial race in Alaska is one of 19 open seats nationwide where the current governor is not running. This occurs because 15 governors are term-limited, three chose not to seek reelection, and one lost a primary. Specifically, Iowa's Kim Reynolds, Minnesota's Tim Walz, and Wisconsin's Tony Evers opted out, while Rhode Island's Daniel McKee lost his primary. In the broader national context, Republicans and Democrats each hold 18 of the 36 governorships currently on the ballot. Heading into the election, Republicans control 26 governor's offices and Democrats hold 24. Democrats need a net gain of two governorships to achieve a nationwide majority, a status Republicans have held since 2010.

Alaska is also voting on a U.S. Senate seat where incumbent Dan S. Sullivan, a Republican, is running for reelection. The Associated Press and Ballotpedia identify this race as a battleground, with ratings ranging from a toss-up to a lean Democratic. The state also has every U.S. House seat on the ballot, alongside state and local offices and measures that vary by county. The Senate race is particularly watchable because the Trump administration has filed a lawsuit related to the certification of the result in Alaska.

Nationally, the 36 governor races are split evenly between the two major parties in terms of seats currently held. However, the battlegrounds are concentrated in specific states. Ballotpedia lists Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, and Wisconsin as the nine key battlegrounds for governor. Democrats are defending five governorships in states that Trump won in 2024, including Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Republicans are defending two in states that Harris won, specifically New Hampshire and Vermont. The Associated Press notes that Texas, Florida, and Iowa are also considered competitive governor races.

The political landscape for governors is shifting due to the high number of open seats. With 19 races lacking an incumbent, voters are selecting new leaders in nearly half of the contests. This is unusual for a midterm cycle where incumbency often provides a significant advantage. The Associated Press reports that Democrats hope to hold a majority of governorships for the first time in two decades, a goal that would mark a significant change in state-level executive power. The even 18 to 18 split among the contested seats makes the outcome of these specific races critical for the balance of power in statehouses across the country.

In the U.S. Senate, 35 of 100 seats are up for election, including 33 regular elections and two special elections. Republicans hold 53 seats, while Democrats hold 45, plus two independents who caucus with Democrats. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control of the chamber. Eleven senators, four Democrats and seven Republicans, are not running again. Key matchups include North Carolina, where Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper faces Michael Whatley, and Georgia, where Sen. Jon Ossoff faces Rep. Mike Collins. In Ohio, former Sen. Sherrod Brown is challenging Sen. Jon Husted.

The U.S. House of Representatives sees all 435 seats up for grabs. Republicans currently hold 218 seats and Democrats 214, with one independent and some vacancies. Democrats need a net gain of three districts to secure a majority, while Republicans can lose no more than two. Ballotpedia counts 46 battleground districts, with 25 held by Democrats and 21 by Republicans. Sixty House incumbents, 23 Democrats and 37 Republicans, are not running again. The Associated Press describes the election as a referendum on President Trump's second term, with voters citing high prices and an unpopular war with Iran as key factors.

The mood in the country is tense, with AP-NORC polling showing that 35% of U.S. adults approve of Trump's job performance. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote total from four years ago in many closely watched states. The Associated Press notes that Republicans are bracing to lose the House and fighting to hold the Senate, while Democrats are cautiously optimistic. Money has played a significant role, with the 2026 elections likely becoming the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees, aided by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk.

Election administration has seen legal challenges as well. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan to prevent noncitizen voting, which critics say risks disenfranchising eligible voters. Another judge ordered the administration to stop demanding that California election officials segregate ballots cast by people on lists of suspected noncitizens. The U.S. Postal Service added hours and staff to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. Wall Street is watching the results closely, as Reuters notes that the outcome could add to investor concerns about AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations.

For voters in Anchorage and across Alaska, the day is about more than just state leadership. The outcome of the Senate race, where Dan Sullivan seeks another term, will influence national dynamics. The open governor's seat in Alaska is part of a national trend where 19 states are choosing new governors without an incumbent to challenge. The Associated Press reports that the results will determine who controls Congress for the final two years of Trump's term. If Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries would be positioned to become the first Black speaker if his party gains the House.