Early voting is soaring, but not in rural Alaska

And: Begich and Peltola in final election sprint, as Dunleavy speaks against ranked choice voting ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( Good afternoon. It’s Friday, November 1. In today's newsletter: - Alaska’s early voting is on track to break state records that were set in 2020, but the option is [not equally available]( across the state. - A second and relatively unexpected snowstorm on Halloween brought Anchorage's total snow accumulation to [more than 21 inches]( this week. - Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola and her main Republican challenger, Nick Begich III, have been crisscrossing Alaska in [the final push to Election Day](. In the course of a week, Anchorage has been transformed into a winter wonderland. It's a perfect time to cozy up with a book (and maybe one of these [soup recipes]( from Alaska cooks), but if you do plan to venture out, there's plenty to do in Anchorage this weekend. From First Friday art events to live music and theater, check out some of the highlights [here.]( Anchorage weather It's overcast today with a high near 35 degrees and a chance of snow and rain later in the day. A chance of rain continues overnight, but Saturday is expected to be partly sunny. Snow returns to the forecast early next week. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com [Early voting is surging, but not in rural Alaska →]( The discrepancy in early voting access could have far-reaching consequences for Alaska’s election. In the highly competitive congressional race, incumbent Rep. Mary Peltola is heavily favored by rural voters, while her Republican challenger Nick Begich is favored in conservative-leaning communities such as Wasilla, Palmer and Soldotna. ADVERTISEMENT [Surprise Halloween storm brings Anchorage’s snow total to 21 inches this week →]( Plow crews were still clearing roads and sidewalks when the second storm started. Monday and Thursday’s snow totals broke records set in 1982 and 1983. [Election wrap-up: Begich and Peltola in final sprint, as Dunleavy speaks against ranked choice voting →]( Political observers expect the Peltola-Begich race to be close. Meanwhile, Gov. Mike Dunleavy spoke in opposition to ranked choice voting in [a video]( posted on social media by the Alaska Republican Party. [Bridges in Denali and Yellowstone national parks are among dozens getting federally funded upgrades →]( In Alaska, more than $13 million will help replace the Ghiglione Bridge in Denali National Park and Preserve. [With a mix of returners and an influx of international talent, UAA women’s basketball looks to return to national tournament →]( The 2024-25 UAA women’s basketball team is blending a strong returning nucleus along with a recruiting class buoyed by a trio of international players. ADVERTISEMENT More from the ADN [Daylight saving time ends Sunday. That extra hour of sleep isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. →]( [White House altered record of Biden’s ‘garbage’ remarks despite stenographer concerns →]( [JD Vance claims teens become transgender to get into Ivy League colleges →]( [An Idaho health department isn’t allowed to give COVID-19 vaccines anymore. Experts say it’s a first. →]( [Alaska gardening advice: Orchids, once precious, have become cheaper and more accessible →]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Click here to unsubscribe and manage your email subscriptions.]( Anchorage Daily News, 300 W 31st Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503, United States