An election favoring the status quo is holding true to form with an updated unofficial count released Friday evening showing results largely unchanged from the first results published Tuesday night.
Updated tallies for the Oct. 1 municipal election released at 6:30 p.m. Friday by the municipal clerk’s office include 9,633 ballots representing 34.27% of registered voters. That surpasses last year’s final official voter turnout of 33.98%, with another updated count for this year’s by-mail election expected to be released next Friday and the official results certified Oct. 15.
The initial count Tuesday night of 6,525 ballots was for ballots received before Election Day. The updated count Friday represents the majority of the remaining ballots, with those mailed close to or on Election Day — especially from overseas — among those likely to be added to the final tally before certification.
“There are over 1,000 ballots remaining to be reviewed and processed that were received on Election Day or in the mail,” Municipal Clerk Beth McEwen wrote in a statement Friday night. “The CBJ Elections team will continue to receive ballots via USPS. Ballot review and processing will continue next week.”
“Part of the ballot review process includes sending ‘Cure Letters’ to voters informing them of additional steps needed before their ballots can be counted. This happens for a number of reasons such as a missing signature, missing personal identifier, no reference signature on file etc. CBJ voters are asked to check their mail and respond to any cure letters right away so their ballots may be forwarded for additional review and counting, if eligible.”
The Ship-Free Saturday proposition, which attracted by far the most attention and money in the race, is failing 39.4%-60.6% (3,751 votes in favor, 5,788 against). A bond measure providing $12.7 million for police and fire communications upgrades is passing 59.4%-40.6% (5,610-3,830) while a $10 million bond for wastewater treatment plant upgrades is passing 67.1%-32.9% (6,286-3,072).
In the municipal candidate races, incumbent Mayor Beth Weldon is maintaining a lead of 60% (5,579 votes) to 40% over challenger Angela Rodell, Neil Steininger a 64% (5,214) to 36% (2,890) lead over Connor Ulmer, and Maureen Hall with 37.5% (3,232) is leading four other candidates with Nathaniel (Nano) Brooks the closest with 30.6% (2,628).
The three Juneau Board of Education incumbents remain far ahead of three challengers for three open seats. Of the 20,900 votes cast by people picking up to three candidates, Elizabeth Siddon leads the field with 5,127 votes, followed by Will Muldoon at 4,711 and Amber Frommherz at 3,903. The closest challenger is Jenny Thomas with 2,755 votes.
Thomas was also one of the lead petitioners for recall efforts of school board president Deedie Sorensen (left) and vice president Emil Mackey. Both votes are failing, by margins of 33.7%-64.3% (3,055-5,994 votes) for Sorensen and 35.6%-64.4% (3,231-5,824) for Mackey.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.
