Leaders of Alaska’s third-largest political party voted to dissolve it last month, raising questions about how the state Division of Elections would handle the registration of its more than 19,000 members.

The case before the court challenges a Mississippi law that allows absentee ballots received after Election Day to count if they are postmarked by Election Day.

The former Alaska congressmember will likely face off against Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and is a recruitment coup for national Democrats.

This story was produced in partnership between Bolts and High Country News and is republished with permission. I. The state troopers came first for Tupe Smith. They arrived in a pair on November 30, 2023,

The former congresswoman is the latest top-tier recruit for Democrats, who face a difficult Senate map this year as they try to retake control of the chamber.

Peltola, a Democrat who served one term as Alaska’s at-large U.S. House representative from 2022 to 2025, was widely seen as a prized top recruit for the race and for national Democrats, who have an uphill battle to reclaim control of the U.S. Senate in 2026.

Mary Peltola said Monday that she would challenge Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan in this year's midterm elections, vowing to shake up the establishment to make life more affordable for Alaskans.“Life is difficult here,