Democrat Mary Pelotla makes history in Alaska U.S. House special election

Democrat and native Alaskan Mary Peltola defeated two Republicans this week including former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin in a U.S. House seat special election. The election has now been certified, making Peltola the first native Alaskan to serve in the U.S. House and the first Democrat to represent Alaska in 50 years. She replaces U.S. Rep Don Young who passed away in March. This election was the first in Alaska using the new “rank choice” voting system passed by Alaska voters themselves. Rank Choice voting requires the winning candidate to receive at least 50 percent of the vote. Voters pick their favorite candidate in order depending on how many candidates are in the race. Each round the candidate with the least amount of votes are eliminated. Those voters who chose the eliminated candidate first are then given to their second ranked choice candidate.