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arrow pixel Alaska voters will go to the polls today to consider a mammoth list of qu estions ranging from the tightest US Senate race in decades to who con trols the state Legislature to legalizing marijuana. Alaskans will find six choices await ing them, led by Republican George W Bush and Democrat John Kerry. With Bush expected to easily snap up Alaska's three electoral votes, Alas kans were spared the attention of a presidential battleground state. But Alaska might just as well have been a state in play, given the national involvement in the US Senate race between Republican Lisa Murkowski a nd Democrat Tony Knowles because of what it means for control of the Sen ate. Frank Murkowski surpri sed Alaskans by appointing his daughter to the seat he had just vacated. Knowles, a two-term governor, joined the race not much later. As befitting the 2004 campaign season, the two have been neck and neck al l year, and as of last week they were still so close the race was imposs ible to call, said independent Anchorage pollster Ivan Moore. With Murkowski the only vulnerable sitting Republican in the Senate, the Alaska race attracted millions of dollars in campaign contributions and additional efforts by national parties and independent groups. In her last full day of campaigning Monday, Murkowski traveled to Kenai. But snow prevented her from flying to Wasilla for a scheduled "Rally in the Valley," so instead she took her campaign to Homer before returning to Anchorage late in the day. She plans to speak on radio shows today an d wave signs at intersections with volunteers, taking time out to vote a t Government Hill Elementary School. She and supporters will gather toni ght at the Snow Goose restaurant. Knowles flew to Kenai and Fairbanks and then returned to Anchorage on Mon day for get-out-the-vote rallies. It capped a weekend of travel from Jun eau to Kotzebue to motivate field workers and supporters. He planned to vote at Inlet View Elementary School, make some calls to undecided voter s, then wait at home for early returns before going to a gathering at th e 4th Avenue Theatre. Both campaigns have been firing their "secret weapons" in the closing day s of the campaign. "Tony's edge is his ground operation," said Moore, referring to the state wide army of volunteer and paid canvassers, phone-bank callers and drive rs who will finish the campaign at 8 pm today by trying to get every l ast Knowles voter to the polls. Ted Stevens, Alaska's senior senator, who has been vigorously campaigning for Murkowski, desc ribing her as an essential component of Alaska's team in Congress. As well as candidates, voters will find four ballot questions: Ballot Measure 1 would require statewide petitions for initiatives and referendums to gain more support from more districts to reach the ballot . Ballot Measure 2 would make it legal, under state law, for people 21 an d older to grow, use, sell and give away marijuana. Ballot Measure 3 would make it illegal to bait or intentionally feed a bear in order to hunt, photograph or view the animal. Ballot Measure 4 would repeal a state law that gives the governor the p ower to make a temporary appointment to the US Senate until an electio n can be held. The seat would be filled by a special election within 60 to 90 days of the vacancy. Anchorage voters also will find two local school bond propositions appear ing as special election items. Proposition 1 would provide $52 million for a new middle school near DeBa rr and Muldoon roads. Proposition 2, for $296 million, would finance re novations at East and Service high schools, renovation designs for Bartl ett and Chugiak highs, and preliminary design of a replacement Clark Mid dle School. Several of the projects were included in a $ 958 million proposition voters rejected in April. School and city offic ials decided to give them another chance; Decisions made today will define the face of the Legislature for the next two years. There are contested races for 33 of the 40 state House seats and for half the 20 Senate seats. The biggest question is whether Republicans will maintain dominance in bo th chambers. The Senate, where Republicans have a 12-to-8 advantage, cou ld tighten. Key battlegrounds are in South Anchorage, where Democrat Lyn da Zaugg waged an energetic challenge against Republican incumbent John Cowdery, and in East Anchorage, where Republicans have made a push to to pple Democrat incumbent Bettye Davis with challenger Ken Flynn. Republicans have a 28-12 advantage in the state House and are expected to maintain control. But several incumbents in both parties are in races t hey could lose, including Wasilla Republican Rep. Vic Kohring, challenge d by former legislator Pat Carney, a Democrat; and Muldoon Republican Re p Tom Anderson, facing Democrat Peggy Robinson, a former Anchorage Scho ol Board president. At least 25 candidates from both parties attended a "Candidate Sunday" se rvice at the Anchorage Baptist Temple on Sunday. "I'm the conservative candidate," Jeff Gonnason told the Rev. "I'm the resource development candidate," countered his opponent, Rep. Midtown Republican Andree McLeod, who faces Democrat Berta Gardner for a seat with no incumbent, told those assembled that, "God willing," she wi ll be victorious. Both major parties planned to have poll watchers in place. Democratic par ty chairman Scott Sterling and his Republican counterpart, Randy Ruedric h, said their people will be there to make sure supporters of their cand idates vote. "The primary role of the poll watcher is to make sure the rules and proce dures are observed," Sterling said. Ruedrich said poll watchers will keep track of which Republican voters sh ow up and "make sure they get our voters to the polls by identifying who hasn't been there."
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