Ruled out by Division of Elections, Haines man keeps campaigning anyway

William "Bill" McCord

William "Bill" McCord

The Alaska Division of Elections says Bill McCord isn’t running for the Alaska Legislature.

He says otherwise.

The Haines Libertarian is pressing ahead with a write-in campaign to challenge Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, to represent House District 33 in the Alaska Legislature, even after receiving a letter saying his candidacy is invalid.

“Your declaration of candidacy indicates that you have been a resident of Alaska since May 5, 2014, which as of today … does not meet the three-year Alaska residency requirement,” Alaska Division of Elections director Josie Bahnke wrote on Wednesday. “For this reason, I am denying certification of your candidacy for House District 33.”

Reached by phone on Thursday, McCord had a simple response to that letter.

“All I can say is they’re acting unconstitutionally, and there’s case law that verifies that,” he said.

Officially, Kito has no challengers in his bid for re-election to represent a district that includes downtown Juneau and the northern end of Lynn Canal including Skagway, Haines and Gustavus.

Unofficially, McCord has been working on a write-in campaign since late August, shortly after the statewide primary.

In an email to the Empire, he said he “stands for prioritizing the Marine Highway system, scrapping ‘The Road,’ preventing income tax, ending special sessions, and protecting civil liberties.”

On his website, www.mccordforstatehouse.com, he lists his experience as a teacher and his background as a Libertarian Party member since 1972.

Alaska law allows any person to register as a write-in candidate for election up to five days before Election Day.

McCord filed his form on Sept. 30 via fax from a store on Main Street in Haines. In the section “Residency Information,” he states that he has been a resident of Alaska since May 5, 2014.

Article 2, Section 2 of the Alaska Constitution states that “a member of the Legislature shall be a qualified voter who has been a resident of Alaska for at least three years,” among other requirements.

McCord says that requirement may violate a different part of the state constitution, one pertaining to “equal protection” under the law.

In 1994, the Alaska Supreme Court found that a three-year residency requirement for local city council was too strict, and McCord pointed to that decision in saying that the Alaska Constitution’s limit may be illegal.

He said he is considering legal action, and by email added: “Hence, the William McCord campaign marches on — challenging unconstitutional actions of the state as well as the Alaska Legislature’s failure to rectify a serious flaw in the Democratic process.”

But what happens right now if someone writes “William McCord” on their ballot in November — would it count?

“It doesn’t count. Nope,” said Sharon Forrest, elections supervisor for the Division of Elections.

• Contact reporter James Brooks at 523-2258 or james.k.brooks@juneauempire.com.

Read more news:

Nageak wins lawsuit, judge overturns election result

With payout today, PFD sales abound locally

4-year-old hit by fragments of bullet fired from apartment

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. President Trump shared a quotation on social media, making it clear it was one he wanted people to absorb: “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.” (Al Drago/The New York Times)
Trump: ‘He who saves his Country does not violate any Law’

Quote sometimes attributed to Napoleon posted on White House’s official X account.

Members of the Alaska State Employees Association and AFSCME Local 52 holds a protest on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Alaska state employees rally for more pay and benefits on same day mass federal firings occur

Participants at state Capitol seek revival of pensions, release of state salary data withheld by governor.

Jonathan Rasch skates back to shore with his dog after spending hours looking for a man who fell through the ice on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, on Chilkoot Lake near Haines. Rasch was skating on the lake when he heard the man screaming for help and used his Garmin inReach to call for help. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)
After Haines man disappears, locals and state officials warn of the dangers of ice skating on lake

After Haines man disappears, locals and state officials warn of the dangers of ice skating on lake

A U.S. Forest Service office sign in Juneau on Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Trump’s federal layoffs hit wide range of Alaska agencies on Friday, with fears of many more to come

Murkowski: “Trying to get answers about the impact…but the response so far has been evasive and inadequate.”

A shelter staff member takes a dog who is currently boarding at Juneau Animal Rescue outside on Feb. 13, 2025. The animal shelter needs more space both outside and in, according to the executive director. It could also use a guillotine door to allow dogs easier access to the outdoors. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Animal Rescue hopes to be ‘feline’ the love at annual fundraiser

The shelter is still in need of a new building and hopes to continue educating the community.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

A building directory in Juneau’s federal building lists departments, such as the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Forest Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Mass firings ordered by Trump administration, including nearly 10% of U.S. Forest Service

HUD plans 50% staff cut, scrutiny of “every dollar spent in serving tribal, rural and urban communities.”

Most Read