An Electoral Profile of Alaska: Interparty Competition Between 1958 and 1972

Abstract

How does Alaska vote? This ISEGR Report helps answer this question by analyzing state election returns over the last 14 years. Alaska voters and political observers will find in this study a more accurate and comprehensive picture of the state's past electoral behavior than has previously been available. Social scientists may find in it a useful measure of one important dimension of Alaska party politics and political culture. Finally, although many politicians undoubtedly are aware of the general patterns and some of the specific findings reported here, most will find this systematic analysis interesting and useful. Research assistance was provided to the authors by Earlene Goodwin. Peggy Raybeck had general responsibility for editing and preparing the final manuscript, with the assistance of Lavonia Wiele. Judith Henshaw prepared the graphic illustrations, and. Nancy Van Veenen designed the cover. Several of the authors' colleagues made helpful comments on earlier drafts. This study was supported in part by the National Science Foundation through ISEGR's Man in the Arctic Program.