In addition to the 682 Juneau voters who cast votes Tuesday, 100 non-Juneau voters cast out-of-district ballots at Centennial Hall on Super Tuesday.
Under the rules drafted by the Alaska Republican Party for the preference poll, participants could drop the equivalent of an absentee ballot into the ballot box.
With the Alaska Legislature in session, plenty of lawmakers and their staffers took the opportunity to vote at Juneau’s polling site.
Among them was Rep. Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, who said she is a businesswoman and voted for Donald Trump because he aligns with her beliefs on business.
Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, said she cast her vote for Marco Rubio because she likes his philosophy of government.
“I’m a Cruz guy,” said Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole and the Senate Majority Leader. “I’m glad to see him doing well.”
Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, in a press conference held Monday, said she was voting for Cruz as well.
Other lawmakers declined to share their votes.
“That’s between me and the Lord,” said Sen. Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks.
“I believe in the private ballot,” said Sen. Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak.
Rep. Cathy Muñoz, R-Juneau, accompanied her mother to the polls about 4:30 p.m. and declined to share her vote.
“I voted for the best candidate on the ballot,” said Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River, “and it was a Republican.”
Rep. Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, declined to share his vote, but shared a sentiment many voters did. “It was a difficult decision,” he said.
On the turnout, he joked, “I didn’t think there were that many Republicans in downtown Juneau.”
After being informed that Mendenhall Valley voters were also coming to Centennial Hall, he laughed. “Oh, that explains it,” he said. “There’s a few out there.”
Johnson said Tuesday’s poll was an example of how America’s system might be messy, but it works.
“We will have a transition of power without anyone getting shot or hung,” he said.
• Contact James Brooks at james.k.brooks@juneauempire.com.
