Municipal election

Deputy Municipal Clerk Andi Hirsh (left) explains options for implementing ranked choice voting to Juneau Assembly members during a Committee of the Whole meeting Monday, June 2, 2025, at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Assembly moves forward with influencing this year’s election, ranked choice voting in next year’s

Leaders look at spending $50K this fall with eye on tax issues, introducing RCV ordinance next week.

 

Three petitions seeking to put questions about altering local tax and election rules on the fall municipal election ballot were turned in to the Juneau city clerk’s office on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Ballot petitions to lower property and sales taxes, alter election process turned in to CBJ

City has 10 days to review signatures; supporter says more may be needed to get proposals on fall ballot.

 

Sitka Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson, left, looks over paperwork from precinct 1 with Holley Bayne, Precinct 1 chair Alix Snelling and deputy Clerk Jess Earnshaw. durinng Wednesday night’s tally of votes at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Unofficial results have 773 in favor and 2,071 against the proposition which would have limited cruise visitors ashore to 300,000 annually, and 4,500 daily; required at least one quiet day a week with no large ships; and implemented a permit system for cruise ships. (James Poulson / Daily Sitka Sentinel)

Sitka voters reject cruise ship limits

By a more than 2-to-1 margin, voters in Wednesday’s special election turned down a ballot proposition to limit cruise ship visitation in Sitka. The vote… Continue reading

 

Visitors walk along the downtown cruise ship dock on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Initiative to limit number of cruise ship passengers, shorten season fails to get signatures to make ballot

“Enthusiasm for this just wasn’t there in the same way as Ship-Free Saturday,” author of proposal says.

Visitors walk along the downtown cruise ship dock on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The city of Hoonah is seeking to incorporate as a borough with a large tract of surrounding area that includes most of Glacier Bay National Park and a few tiny communities. (Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development photo)

Election to incorporate new Xunaa Borough, and select its Assembly and school board, set for July 15

Approval would form Alaska’s 20th borough; result in dissolution of Hoonah’s municipal government.

The city of Hoonah is seeking to incorporate as a borough with a large tract of surrounding area that includes most of Glacier Bay National Park and a few tiny communities. (Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development photo)
The Norwegian Bliss cruise ship docks in downtown Juneau on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Ballot petition to restrict daily and annual cruise passengers in Juneau certified for signatures

Opponent of measure argues it violates due process, free travel and other constitutional rights.

The Norwegian Bliss cruise ship docks in downtown Juneau on Monday, April 21, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A Juneau School District maintenance supervisor examines the ceiling at Riverbend Elementary School on Friday, Aug. 21, 2020. The school, since renamed Kax̲dig̲oowu Héen Elementary School, has experienced roof problems since its construction, according to district officials. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)
A Juneau School District maintenance supervisor examines the ceiling at Riverbend Elementary School on Friday, Aug. 21, 2020. The school, since renamed Kax̲dig̲oowu Héen Elementary School, has experienced roof problems since its construction, according to district officials. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)
Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

New initiative limiting cruise tourism in Juneau filed Monday by Ship-Free Saturday supporter

Measure would set 1.5M passenger annual limit, ban ships with 250+ people before May and after Sept.

Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Municipal Attorney Emily Wright (left) swears in newly elected Juneau Assembly members Neil Steininger and Maureen Hall as newly reelected Mayor Beth Weldon takes a photo during an Assembly meeting Monday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Hall and Steininger get sworn in to Juneau Assembly; Hale and Blake get poems as they depart

Newly reelected Mayor Beth Weldon offers tributes; Greg Smith chosen as new deputy mayor

Municipal Attorney Emily Wright (left) swears in newly elected Juneau Assembly members Neil Steininger and Maureen Hall as newly reelected Mayor Beth Weldon takes a photo during an Assembly meeting Monday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Neil Steininger (left) and Maureen Hall are the two newly elected members of the Juneau Assembly, according to results of the Oct. 1 municipal election certified on Tuesday. (Photo of Steininger by Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire; photo of Hall provided by the City and Borough of Juneau)

Certified election results put Steininger and Hall on Assembly, sink Saturday cruise ship ban

Turnout of 38.7% is fifth-highest in local election since 2000 — but well below most in prior decade.

Neil Steininger (left) and Maureen Hall are the two newly elected members of the Juneau Assembly, according to results of the Oct. 1 municipal election certified on Tuesday. (Photo of Steininger by Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire; photo of Hall provided by the City and Borough of Juneau)
A city election work handles envelopes from the 2023 municipal election at the City and Borough of Juneau Ballot Processing Center. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

No changes in local election as updated results show second-highest turnout since 2010

38.35% rate so far is highest since 42.73% in 2020; final certification scheduled next Tuesday

A city election work handles envelopes from the 2023 municipal election at the City and Borough of Juneau Ballot Processing Center. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
A dropoff box for ballots at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

Updated election results show no change as turnout surpasses last year’s total vote

Ballots from 34.27% of voters tallied as of Friday, final results expected Oct 15; last year’s total 33.98%.

A dropoff box for ballots at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
Supporters of Mayor Beth Weldon and Juneau Assembly candidate Neil Steininger wave signs to motorists on Egan Drive at the Douglas Bridge intersection on Tuesday morning. Both are well ahead in their two-candidate races in the first batch of ballots tallied Tuesday night, with official results scheduled to be certified on Oct. 15. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Leaders in mayoral, Assembly races cautiously ponder issues ahead as more ballots tallied

Mayor Beth Weldon, Assembly hopeful Neil Steininger have solid leads; Maureen Hall a narrower edge

Supporters of Mayor Beth Weldon and Juneau Assembly candidate Neil Steininger wave signs to motorists on Egan Drive at the Douglas Bridge intersection on Tuesday morning. Both are well ahead in their two-candidate races in the first batch of ballots tallied Tuesday night, with official results scheduled to be certified on Oct. 15. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Municipal Clerk Beth McEwen (right) and Deputy Clerk Diane Cathcart await the arrival of election materials as early ballots are counted at the Thane Ballot Processing Center on Tuesday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Ship-Free Saturday losing, Weldon leads mayor’s race, school board recalls failing in early election results

Unofficial partial count shows Steininger, Hall leading Assembly races; school board incumbents also ahead.

Juneau Municipal Clerk Beth McEwen (right) and Deputy Clerk Diane Cathcart await the arrival of election materials as early ballots are counted at the Thane Ballot Processing Center on Tuesday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Dan Kenkel sets up an election sign outside City Hall as in-person voting begins at 7 a.m. Tuesday in Juneau’s municipal election. Voting locations and ballot dropoff boxes are open until 8 p.m. tonight.

Election Day arrives with Assembly, school board, municipal bond and cruise ship items on ballot

In-person voting and dropoff boxes open until 8 p.m.; initial results expected sometime after 10 p.m.

Dan Kenkel sets up an election sign outside City Hall as in-person voting begins at 7 a.m. Tuesday in Juneau’s municipal election. Voting locations and ballot dropoff boxes are open until 8 p.m. tonight.
Duff Mitchell (right), a board member of the Downtown Business Association, reads a question to Juneau Assembly and mayoral candidates during a forum Tuesday night at V’s Cellar Door restaurant. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Near-unanimous opposition to Ship-Free Saturday proposition by Assembly and mayoral candidates

Mayoral and Assembly hopefuls also discuss downtown’s economic future, City Hall and bond measures.

Duff Mitchell (right), a board member of the Downtown Business Association, reads a question to Juneau Assembly and mayoral candidates during a forum Tuesday night at V’s Cellar Door restaurant. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A sample ballot for the Oct. 1 municipal election at the City and Borough of Juneau’s website.

Strong arguments for Ship-Free Saturdays, against school board recalls on CBJ ballot

Language is part of official process; additional election perspectives will come from CBJ voter guide, website

A sample ballot for the Oct. 1 municipal election at the City and Borough of Juneau’s website.
Finalists to be Bartlett Regional Hospital’s new chief executive officer are, from left to right, Jon Friedenberg, Melanee Tiura and Joe Wanner. (Photos provided by Bartlett Regional Hospital)

Bartlett Regional Hospital schedules public meetings, interviews with three CEO finalists

Candidates include hospital’s CFO, leader at Alaska health entities, and longtime out-of-state medical CEO.

Finalists to be Bartlett Regional Hospital’s new chief executive officer are, from left to right, Jon Friedenberg, Melanee Tiura and Joe Wanner. (Photos provided by Bartlett Regional Hospital)
Michele Stuart Morgan (right), a Juneau Board of Education candidate, signs a qualifying petition for Jeff Redmond (center), who is also seeking one of three school board seats in the Oct. 1 municipal election, just before Monday’s filing deadline at City Hall. At left, Deputy Municipal Clerk Diane Cathcart processes last-minute paperwork filed by candidates. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Here’s the candidates certified for the Oct. 1 municipal election ballot as the filing deadline passes

Two running for mayor, seven for two Assembly seats, six for three school board seats.

Michele Stuart Morgan (right), a Juneau Board of Education candidate, signs a qualifying petition for Jeff Redmond (center), who is also seeking one of three school board seats in the Oct. 1 municipal election, just before Monday’s filing deadline at City Hall. At left, Deputy Municipal Clerk Diane Cathcart processes last-minute paperwork filed by candidates. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Angela Rodell, former CEO of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., speaks to the House Finance Committee on Thursday, June 24, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)

Angela Rodell, former Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. CEO, says she’s running for mayor

First-time candidate to challenge incumbent Beth Weldon; filing deadline for local election is today.

Angela Rodell, former CEO of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., speaks to the House Finance Committee on Thursday, June 24, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)