October 7th is a big, beautiful day for democracy as municipalities across Alaska hold elections for mayors, assembly members, city councils, school boards, and propositions related to taxes, education, and infrastructure. Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA) elections for school boards are also taking place today.
These municipal elections empower everyday Alaskans to guide education, infrastructure, and local services. Now is the last day to head to the polls to help build the stronger communities we deserve. It is time for Alaskans to make their voices heard together!
The Kenai Peninsula Borough is conducting elections for assembly seats, school board seats, and service area board seats. Voters will also decide on propositions regarding voting methods, recreation, tax exemptions, sales tax, and election timing. In Homer, three council seats are up for election. Kenai is selecting a mayor and council members. Meanwhile, Kodiak Island Borough is holding a vote for a mayor and two assembly seats.
Palmer is electing a mayor along with three council seats. Wasilla is filling three council seats, while Houston is also selecting council members.
Fairbanks North Star Borough is electing three assembly seats and two school board seats. The City of Fairbanks will be filling the position of mayor and two council seats, while North Pole also has council seats on the ballot.
Juneau is voting on three assembly seats, three school board seats, and three propositions regarding property tax caps, sales tax exemptions, and seasonal rates. Meanwhile, the Ketchikan Gateway Borough and the City of Ketchikan are holding elections for a mayor, three assembly seats, two school board seats, and a proposition related to school capital taxes.
Haines is filling two assembly seats, two planning commission seats, two school board seats, and a seasonal sales tax proposition. Skagway is electing a mayor, three assembly seats, two school board seats, and a sales tax proposition. Wrangell is choosing assembly seats and school board seats. Sitka is electing two assembly seats, two school board seats, and propositions on hospital funds and economic studies.
Aleutians East Borough is voting on three assembly seats and three school board seats. Bristol Bay Borough has openings for assembly and school board seats. Bethel is electing four council seats. Dillingham is electing two council members and three school board members. Lake and Peninsula Borough will be filling two assembly seats and two school board seats.
The Northwest Arctic Borough is electing members for the assembly and school boards. Unalaska is holding elections for various municipal positions. Nome is electing a mayor, two council members, two utility board members, and two school board members. Whittier is voting on three council seats.
The Alaska Division of Elections is currently overseeing the REAA election for school board seats in rural areas within the unorganized borough. This includes regions such as the Aleutian Islands, Lower Yukon, Holy Cross, Lake Minchumina, Shageluk, Ruby, Koyukuk, Minto, Arctic Village, Fort Yukon, Northway, and Tok. But not all of these areas have contested seats on the ballot this year.
Voting in Alaska’s local elections is essential because it directly influences the services and policies that affect daily life, including schools, roads, taxes, and community projects. Just a handful of votes has decided many local elections. Each vote holds power in determining leadership and shaping resource allocation for our communities.
Don’t let low turnout decide our future, get to the polls today and make your mark for stronger schools, better roads, and thriving communities across Alaska!
Your vote counts!
Brenda Josephson is a board member of Alaska Gold Communications, Inc., the publisher of Must Read Alaska. You can contact her via email at [email protected].
The state is turning more and more to the left. Increasingly I am being labeled an enemy in my own state by my leftist office holders and neighbors. They are openly hostile to conservatives like me.
Well Fairbanks just elected a bunch of pro abortion, rainbow flag waving crazies. Hate on me all you want for saying that but its going to be a tough few years…