Dear Alaskan Voters:

I am pleased to provide you with this official guide to Alaska's General Election to be held November 7.  The 2000 election is an opportunity to cast your vote for the president and vice president of the United States, and for the persons you wish to represent you in Washington D.C. and in the Alaska Senate and House of Representatives.  On the ballot this year are three Constitutional amendments, two initiatives and one referendum.  You will also be able to vote on the retention of justices and judges.

As usual, the pamphlet features candidate statements and their pictures.  This year we are also featuring the faces of many young Alaskans on the cover of the booklet and sprinkled throughout its pages.  These young people are not running for office but they do play a very important role in the election process.  Many young people will cast their votes for the first time this year.  We hope many more will join them.  I've launched a non-partisan youth vote initiative called Let's Vote! Alaska - New Voters for the New Millennium to help encourage young people to vote.

Our goal is to reach Alaska's youth in a variety of ways--through the schools, the Internet, at home, through media--to help them understand the importance of voting.  You can help by talking to a young person in your life and telling them why voting is important to you.  In that regard, I would particularly appeal to Alaska's senior citizens.  It is well documented that seniors are consistent about exercising their right to vote--in fact, you vote more consistently and in larger numbers than any other age group in Alaska.  It would be great if you would share your enthusiasm for the democratic process with the young people in your life.

Whatever your age, our democracy depends on your participation. Alaska's future will be shaped by the decisions you make today.  To find out more about Let's Vote! Alaska - New Voters for the New Millennium, read the article in this pamphlet or go to our web page at www.letsvotealaska.com.

Thank you for reading through this important document and for taking the time to become better informed about the candidates and the issues; but most importantly, thank you for casting your ballot on November 7.

 Sincerely,

Fran Ulmer
Lieutenant Governor