Alaska Democrats hold a volunteer picnic ahead of primary election

Alaska Democrats are gathering at Abbott Loop Community Park in Anchorage at 5 p.m. Thursday for a volunteer picnic, four weeks out from a primary with a U.S. Senate seat on it.

There's no announced speaker list or agenda. The point is recruitment — finding people willing to knock doors and work phones before Aug. 18, when Mary Peltola's challenge to Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan tops the ballot for Democrats.

Alaska's top-four primary sends the leading four finishers, whatever their party, to a Nov. 3 general election decided by ranked choice.