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August 16, 2022  | by Rachel Janfaza, Ethan Cohen, Melissa Holzberg DePalo, Clara Grudberg and Nicholas Anastacio

This month, as the final round of primaries kicks off around the country, the CITIZEN newsletter will focus on what readers should know about every Tuesday’s primaries, with guest writers from CNN’s campaign team and political unit. 

HOW TO FOLLOW TUESDAY'S PRIMARY ELECTIONS

It's primary election day in Wyoming and Alaska.

In both states Tuesday, there are key primary races that will test the fate of two of former President Donald Trump's biggest critics.

Here's everything you need to know:

In Wyoming, Rep. Liz Cheney, the vice chair of the House select committee investigating January 6, faces several Republican challengers, including attorney Harriet Hageman, whom Trump has endorsed. Cheney has been one of Trump's harshest critics and was ousted from her House Republican leadership post last year after publicly rejecting for months Trump's lie that he won the 2020 presidential election.

A University of Wyoming poll released last week found that Cheney is trailing Hageman by 29 points. Yet one question looming over the Republican primary is how many Democrats and independents will switch parties and vote for Cheney, which even her supporters acknowledge is her only chance to stay competitive.

The Cowboy State is also holding a gubernatorial primary election.

Meanwhile, Alaska will also host a special election to fill the state's at large House seat, which has been vacant since Rep. Don Young's death in March. Three candidates, including former Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, will be on the ballot, with the winner decided by ranked choice voting.

Also running is Republican Nick Begich III -- who won the Alaska Republican Party's endorsement in April and is the product of a powerful Alaska political family as the grandson of the Democratic congressman of the same name, who disappeared on a flight in 1972, and the nephew of former Democratic Sen. Mark Begich -- and former Democratic state Rep. Mary Peltola.

Independent candidate Al Gross was previously running but withdrew from the race.

There is also a regular top-four primary election for the same seat and a gubernatorial primary.

Additionally, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski will be the only senator who voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial facing voters this year. Trump has endorsed Kelly Tshibaka, the former commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration, in the primary. However, due to Alaska's top four primary system -- where all candidates run the same ballot and the top four candidates advance to the general election -- it's likely that both Tshibaka and Murkowski will be on the ballot in November.

You can follow along with results on CNN.com and with our live updates. CNN's decision desk will be monitoring results and will make projections accordingly.

• In Wyoming, polls close at 9 p.m. ET. Mail ballots are due by the close of polls on August 16.
• In Alaska, polls close at 12 a.m. and 1 a.m. ET. Mail ballots must be postmarked on or before August 16 and must be received no later than August 26.

CNN has numerous election-related resources available to readers:

• 6 things to watch in Wyoming and Alaska elections: Trump's campaign to purge the Republican Party of his opponents could reach its most dramatic moment of the 2022 midterm election cycle.

• Cheney's fate in Wyoming is a final test of Trump's hold over the GOP: Trump's hold on the Republican Party is tightening even as the former President's legal challenges are mounting.

• Cheney tries to hold on in tough Wyoming primary reshaped by Trump: The contest between Cheney and Harriet Hageman stands as a telling bookend of the Republican Party's evolution.

• From Cheney friend to foe, Harriet Hageman takes command of Wyoming race animated by Trump: Hageman proudly wears Wyoming on her sleeve -- and wields it like a hammer against Cheney.

• Alaska voters are casting ballots in two separate elections for the same seat. Here's how it works: There's both a special general election to fill the remainder of the late Rep. Don Young's term and a primary election to decide who will compete in November for the seat's next full term starting in January.

Our goal is to help guide conversations about the battle for voting rights in a critical year for American democracy. We’re sharing the latest developments in the battle for ballot access, hearing from experts, answering your questions and providing practical information about how to vote this year. Look for it in your inbox every Tuesday – along with a way to sign up for the free weekly CITIZEN BY CNN events. And, please, drop us a line to let us know what you think: [email protected]. And get your friends to subscribe here.