The variety of candidates to choose from on the City and Borough of Juneau’s municipal ballot this year along with the hot-button proposition appears to have roused more Juneau residents to cast their votes this election, according to an updated ballot count released Wednesday afternoon.
So far officials have counted 9,238 ballots, equating to more than a 33% voter turnout. That outpaces last year’s turnout of 9,137 ballots and more votes are likely to be added to the count before the official certification of the election, scheduled Oct. 17.
The count also indicated the candidates leading the respective races this election continue to remain in their positions, though the margins are beginning to tighten for the two Areawide Assembly seats while they grow for the two incumbent Assembly candidates.
A growing number of voters are opposing the $27 million bond measure to fund the construction of a new City Hall. The margin grew to a 647-vote lead against its passing — 4,808 against and 4,161 in favor. That gap is significantly wider than the count last Friday showing a 394-vote difference.
Paul Kelly (3,318) and Ella Adkison (2,869) continue to remain in the lead for the two Areawide seats, though Nano Brooks (2,766) is trailing ever closer behind. The count showed a tight 103-vote gap between him and Adkison, compared to last Friday’s 181-vote difference.
For District 1 and District 2 incumbents Alicia Hughes-Skandijs and Christine Woll, their lead continues to broaden against their challengers. Results show Hughes-Skandijs outpaces Joe Geldhof by 1,429 votes, and Woll leads David Morris by 2,408 votes.
Board of Education candidates David Noon (5,621) and Britteny Cioni-Haywood (5,256) also continue to lead comfortably in the race for the two open seats on the board. Both have more than 2,000 votes over Paige Sipniewski (3,000).
• Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651) 528-1807.
