No shows: So far, voter turnout in Anchorage is low compared to last year

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Voter turnout in Anchorage shows a 33 percent drop from the same time last year.

In 2020, there was not a mayoral race, but there was a controversial alcohol tax, a much-debated school bond measure, and some standard school board seats. In the end, 31 percent of voters took part, casting 71,382 votes total, which was a high for a non-mayoral election.

At seven days before the end of the election in 2020, some 40,875 voters had cast ballots. This year, only 24,315 have done so, as of Tuesday night. That leaves about 16,500 voters who are either hanging onto their ballots or who are just not interested.

Anchorage went to a mail-in or drop-box balloting method in 2018, and that year set a record for turnout that has not been matched since.

If you have not received your ballot, call the Voter Hotline at 907-243-VOTE (8683) to request a replacement ballot. You’ll need to provide an address and some identifying information (birthdate, voter ID number, or last four digits of your social security number).

All ballot envelopes must be postmarked on or before Election Day, or returned to a drop box or accessible vote center by 8 pm April 6.

Drop box locations for April 6, 2021 Election:

Anchorage Vote Center

If you need assistance voting, or if you need to replace a lost or damaged ballot, or if you didn’t receive a ballot, you can use the in-person option.

Locations:

City Hall
632 West 6th Avenue, Room #155

Weekdays, March 29 – April 5, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 3, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 4, noon – 5 p.m.
Election Day, April 6, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
All Municipal ballots will be available at this location. 

Eagle River Town Center 
12001 Business Boulevard, Community Room #170
(same building as the library)

Weekdays, March 29 – April 5, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 3, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 4, noon – 5 p.m.
Election Day, April 6, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Only Chugiak-Eagle River ballots will be available at this location. 

Loussac Library
3600 Denali Street, First Floor, Assembly Chambers
Weekdays, March 29 – April 5, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 3, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 4, noon – 5 p.m.
Election Day, April 6, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
All Municipal ballots will be available at this location.

Candidates for office are as follows:

Mayoral Candidates:

     Evans, Bill – Filed 01/15/2021

     Swank, Albert L., Jr. – Filed 01/29/2021

     Martinez, George – Filed 01/15/2021

     Momin, Reza – Filed 01/27/2021

     Falsey, Bill – Filed 01/15/2021

     Herndon, Heather – Filed 01/19/2021

     Anthony, Anna – Filed 01/29/2021

     Bronson, David – Filed 01/15/2021

     Brown, Jeffrey – Filed 01/29/2021

     Versteeg, Jacob – Filed 01/29/2021

     Robbins, Mike – Filed 01/15/2021

     Dunbar, Forrest – Filed 01/15/2021

     Colbry, Darin – Filed 01/15/2021

     Westfall, Joe – Filed 01/27/2021

     Kern, Jacob Seth – Filed 01/25/2021

School Board Candidates:

SCHOOL BOARD SEAT B (1-YEAR TERM):

     Eledge, Judy Norton – Filed 01/22/2021

     Stewart, Marilyn – Filed 01/27/2021

     Cox, Mark Anthony – Filed 01/27/2021

     Lessens, Kelly – Filed 01/15/2021

SCHOOL BOARD SEAT E:

     Higgins, Pat – Filed 01/25/2021

     Hilde, Alisha – Filed 01/15/2021

     Blatchford, Edgar – Filed 01/22/2021

     Blakeslee, Rachel – Filed 01/22/2021 

     Graham, Sami – Filed 01/22/2021

     Williams, Nial Sherwood – Filed 01/29/2021

SCHOOL BOARD SEAT F:

     Sanders, Marcus – Filed 01/20/2021

     Paulson, Kim – Filed 01/22/2021

     Loring, Dan – Filed 01/29/2021

     Wilson, Dora – Filed 01/19/2021

SCHOOL BOARD SEAT G:

     Vakalis, Elisa – Filed 01/29/2021

     Jacobs, Carl – Filed 01/15/2021