Honor the Rule of Law and Respect the Will of Alaska Voters
NAACP - AOWSACAhead of the November 3 Alaska Senate election, Jasmin Smith, Vice President of the NAACP Alaska, Oregon and Washington State Area Conference and a lifelong resident of Anchorage, calls on Alaskans to honor the Alaska Supreme Court’s ruling, trust the ballot and respect the will of voters. Her op-ed follows in full.
- Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- The court’s ruling: The Alaska Supreme Court affirmed that Alaska voters are not confused between two candidates who share the surname Sullivan
- Author: Jasmin Smith, Vice President, NAACP Alaska, Oregon and Washington State Area Conference
- NAACP AOWSAC position: Trust the ballot, respect the results and reject outside interference in Alaska’s elections
Alaska Senate: Honor the Rule of Law, Respect the Will of Voters
As Vice President of the NAACP for the Alaska, Oregon, and Washington State Area Conference, and as a lifelong resident of Anchorage, I write today with clarity and respect for Alaska’s institutions, especially our courts.
Recently, the Alaska Supreme Court addressed concerns about voter confusion between two people who share the surname “Sullivan”: the incumbent Senator Sullivan and a teacher Sullivan running for office. The Court’s decision matters. It affirmed that Alaska voters are not confused between the two. That ruling is not an opinion; it is the binding conclusion of Alaska’s highest court on the issue before it.
For Alaskans, this means the election process is working as designed and voters are making informed choices. Democracy depends on accurate information and confidence in lawful procedures, and that confidence comes from court determinations and transparent governance, not noise.
Following the Court Is Strength
Alaska has always followed the rule of law, and we should celebrate that tradition. When the Alaska Supreme Court speaks, we listen, not selectively, not politically, and not by trying to undermine the decision after the fact. Following the Court’s ruling isn’t weakness; it is strength. It is how we protect every Alaskan’s right to participate in elections fairly and without chaos.
What Respect Looks Like on November 3
As Alaskans head into the November 3 midterm election, here is what respect looks like in practice:
- Trust the ballot.
- Respect the election results.
- Honor the process, even when outcomes are difficult.
- Reject federal interference in Alaska’s democratic decisions.
No matter who you support, Alaskans deserve elections governed by state law and constitutional principles, not pressure, manipulation, or outside meddling. Our community is strongest when we stand together for orderly, lawful outcomes.
Following the Court’s ruling isn’t weakness; it is strength.
I urge every voter to cast their ballot with confidence, and then, together, accept the results in a spirit of civic responsibility. That is how we move forward with unity, dignity, and real democratic power.
Jasmin Smith
Vice President, NAACP Alaska, Oregon and Washington State Area Conference
Check your registration, find your polling place and get ballot information from the Alaska Division of Elections.
Media Contact
Jasmin Smith, Vice President
NAACP Alaska, Oregon, and Washington State Area Conference
(907) 230-4968 | [email protected]
About NAACP
Founded in 1909, the NAACP advocates, agitates and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive polices and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.