Alaska Stand For Salmon Measure Will Be On November Ballot

Alaska’s Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the Stand for Salmon initiative contains unconstitutional sections that can be removed so voters in November can still decide on the measure designed to enhance protections for salmon and other fish.

“We conclude that the initiative would encroach on the discretion over allocation decisions delegated to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game by the legislature, and that the initiative as written therefore effects an unconstitutional appropriation,” the court said in a 48-page decision.

The lieutenant governor, who oversees Alaska elections, must remove the “offending sections” and place the remainder of the initiative on the ballot, the court said in reversing a Superior Court ruling.

Stand for Salmon released a lengthy statement on the ruling, Here’s some social media reaction and links:

While we're disappointed that the Supreme Court removed the strongest salmon protections in Measure 1, voters will still have a chance to vastly improve habitat protections and public accountability this fall with a vote #Yeson1. It would be a win for Alaska's way of life!

— Stand For Salmon (@StandForSalmon) August 8, 2018

Good breakdown of Supreme Court decision by @TrusteesForAK. https://t.co/PA1GiB5gJ9

— Stand For Salmon (@StandForSalmon) August 8, 2018

Breaking: The Alaska Supreme Court has approved the Stand for Salmon ballot initiative for this fall's election, but without some key provisions that violate the Alaska Constitution. #akelect pic.twitter.com/RPTfGtETkF

— Juneau Empire (@JuneauEmpire) August 8, 2018

The Alaska Supreme Court has ruled that parts of the Stand for Salmon initiative are unconstitutional, but isn't killing the initiative. Instead, it's ordering the lieutenant governor to cut out the offending provisions and place the remainder on the ballot. #akleg #akelect pic.twitter.com/Gh8eh34ih9

— Matt Acuña Buxton (@mattbuxton) August 8, 2018