The proposed incorporation of the Xunaa Borough, centered in the city of Hoonah in northern Southeast Alaska, is on indefinite hold following a Superior Court order halting the election process while an appeal is underway.
On Monday, the Alaska Division of Elections confirmed it had received official notification to pause all activity related to the Xunaa Borough incorporation election, originally scheduled for July 15.
The notification follows a June 13 order issued by Superior Court Judge Larry Woolford in the case City of Pelican, et al. v. Local Boundary Commission, placing a stay on the decision by the Local Boundary Commission to approve the borough’s formation.
The court’s stay prohibits the LBC and any agencies acting on its behalf from taking additional steps toward forming the new borough while the legal challenge proceeds. However, the order does not restrict the City of Hoonah, a key proponent of the borough, from continuing its own preparations for potential incorporation, in the event they can prevail in their quest to create a new entity.
The appeal, filed in April 2025 by the communities of Pelican, Tenakee Springs, Gustavus, and Elfin Cove, argues that the LBC’s approval process was flawed. The appellants cite alleged procedural errors and say their communities were excluded from regional decision-making that would significantly affect them.
No ballots had been issued before the court’s stay was granted, and the election is now paused indefinitely. The timeline for resolving the appeal remains uncertain, and no new actions have been reported since the judge’s order.
They made a choice to not join the Borough and got their wish.
Will a similar tactic be used by Anchorage radical leftists to oppose Eaglexit?
You bet your sweet patooty!
Maybe, but different issues. Those southeast communities are not majority Native. Hoonah is and could control all borough decisions, like taxes and who pays them.
Anchorage claims that Chugiak and Eagle River use more than their taxes bring in. They leave out the fact that ER-Chugiak taxpayers feel that our tax dollars are wasted on hobo enabling and Teacher’s Union funding. I cannot wait for the break.