Election season has officially begun.
Starting at 8 a.m. today, candidates for the Oct. 3 city election can file paperwork with the City and Borough of Juneau. The open filing period runs until 4:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14. Three CBJ Assembly seats and two School Board seats are up for election this year.
Maria Gladziszewski (Areawide), Jesse Kiehl (District 1) and Debbie White (District 2) are all defending their seats on the Assembly. Robert Edwardson is the sole challenger so far, running against White in District 2. School Board President Brian Holst is running for re-election, while board member Sean O’Brien has chosen not to run for re-election, he told the Empire. Jeff Short intends on running for O’Brien’s empty seat.
To register, candidates must file a Nominating Petition, signed by at least 25 registered voters, and a signed copy of the Alaska Public Offices Commission’s Public Official Financial Disclosure statement.
Those looking to file their paperwork with the CBJ are required to be qualified voters in the city, meaning they are qualified to vote in state elections, have been residents of the municipality for at least 30 days prior to the election, are registered to vote in state elections at an address within the municipality’s borders for at least 30 days prior to the election and are not disqualified under Article V of the Alaska Constitution.
Additionally, candidates for the Assembly must have lived in the city and borough for at least one year immediately preceding election. Those running for the District 1 or District 2 seats must live in that respective district.
Just shy of 34 percent of registered voters voted in the 2016 municipal election, which marked an increase from the previous year. In 2013, just 19 percent of registered voters cast a ballot, so participation has been climbing.
Voters must register 30 days before the election, at an address within the City and Borough of Juneau. Voters can register at the State Division of Elections’ Office, the Municipal Building downtown or any CBJ library. Registration applications are also online at www.elections.alaska.gov, and more information is at the CBJ website.
