Every election is important, right? Right! In even-numbered years, sandwiched around the annual borough/city elections in October, the state and federal primary and general elections are held.
It has been a busy election year but please do not tire or fret, this is the last one for the year. All should have the State of Alaska Official Election Pamphlet by now. The picture on the front and the pictures on the “I Voted” stickers were drawn by our public school kids. Via an online contest, winners who submitted drawings were chosen. We honor all the students who submitted entries.
What’s on the ballot? U.S. senator and representative and state senator and representative candidates; state governor/lieutenant governor candidates; a ballot measure; and judges up for retention.
All candidate statements and websites along with statements in support and against Ballot Measure 1 on whether to hold a constitutional convention are in the election pamphlet. We hope everyone has heard, read or attended the various candidate and ballot measure forums and debates. There are more coming up, tune in or attend!
Also in the pamphlet are the judges up for retention and State Judicial Council evaluations of them. There is an explanation on how judges are chosen in Alaska and the role of the Judicial Council. More information on the Judicial Council is at ajc.state.ak.us. We urge voters to educate themselves on this process.
Early and absentee in-person voting began Oct. 24 at Homer City Hall, the Soldotna Prep School, Kenai City Clerk’s office, Seldovia City Clerk’s office and Seward City Clerk’s office, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Oct. 29 is the deadline to apply for an absentee mail-in ballot. Elections.alaska.gov
Nov. 8 is Election Day!
You can be an informed voter and remember, all votes count and all voices matter.
— Therese Lewandowski for Kenai Peninsula Votes
Kenai Peninsula Votes and Homer Public Library are going to have a hybrid, (in person and Zoom) Community Engagements on Friday. Oct. 28 from 11-12 p.m. at the library. The topic: “What do you think about Ranked Choice Voting?” A community discussion to learn and listen to other points of view on this subject.. The link to register, if you cannot attend is: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUlduugrzwtHtHucL1S_hAE2oGG_HcwpHM3.