Voting Facts for Calista Shareholders

Low Voter Turnout Creates Risks for Y-K Communities

Storyknife, adapted from the September/October 2026 edition

Voting turnout in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Region plummeted to its worst levels in 45 years during the last couple of election cycles. With the November 3, 2026 General Election coming soon, Calista is working with other Alaska Native organizations to reverse this trend. We believe strong Alaska Native voter turnout is important, especially given that our Shareholders are facing significant challenges, such as the salmon decline, disastrous storms, and rising prices for fuel and other items needed to sustain our way of life.

What will it take for our people to exercise their constitutional voting rights and make their voices heard on Election Day?

PROUD VOTING LEGACY

During the 1980s, Y-K villages used to turn out nearly as one on Election Day. For example, in Atmautluak, only three people didn’t vote in 1982, giving the community a 98% turnout. Other villages voted at similarly high rates.

DANGEROUS DROP IN VOTING

• Less than 3 in 10 adults in Y-K communities voted in the 2024 general election.
• The decline in turnout happened in almost every village in House District 38 (the largest percentage of Y-K voters), according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Get Out the Native Vote.
• In 2024, 11,322 registered voters in our Region did not vote. In close statewide elections, sometimes decided by a handful of votes, participation from our Region can make a meaningful difference.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Our elected leaders, especially in state and federal government, have control over decisions related to western Alaska salmon decline, bycatch, and funding for village relocation and disaster responses. Their decisions impact your cost of living and the affordability of fuel, groceries and housing. They also decide whether to approve spending to fix the unacceptable conditions in many village schools.

Voting is an important way to make sure our Region’s voices and priorities are heard.

MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE

Your next opportunity to vote for state and federal leaders is the November 3 General Election. This includes voting for:

• The Alaska governor
• U.S. senators and representative
• Alaska Legislature senators and representatives
• Two ballot measures

We also encourage Shareholders in the Y-K Region and other rural areas to participate in the October 6 Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA) election, when you elect the school district board members.