Why do you vote or choose not to vote? There are many reasons why I vote. One reason that might be lesser known is because I believe voting is a responsibility as set forth in the Alaska Constitution. In the very first article and first section concerning our inherent rights, the authors state that, “…all persons have corresponding obligations to the people and to the State.” Obligations – an interesting word that suggests we have duties to our fellow citizens and the state we call home. I believe one of the most important obligations is being an active member of our community and having a say in our government through exercising the right to vote.
In the upcoming regular municipal election on Tuesday, April 2, Anchorage will vote by mail for the third time (this will be our second regular election and we had one special election). Voters will decide on candidates for the Assembly, school board, service area Board of Supervisors and ballot propositions. In addition to news coverage, voters can learn more about these races and ballot propositions by looking on the municipal elections website, reading the League of Women Voters of Anchorage Ballot Review, or by calling the Voter Hotline: (907) 243-VOTE (8683).
[21 questions with this year’s candidates for Anchorage Assembly]
Municipal elections may have a bigger impact on people’s daily lives than state or federal elections, because the typical issues on the ballot in municipal elections - bonds for schools, parks, roads, police and fire service, as well as candidates we elect for Assembly, school board and service areas - shape the immediate future of our community.
To encourage voting in local elections, the municipality’s elections team reminds voters that voting by mail is as easy as 1-2-3! Vote your ballot; put your voted ballot in the security envelope and then in the return envelope; place the return envelope in a Secure Drop Box, return it to an Accessible Vote Center or mail it with first-class postage.
[20 questions with the 2019 candidates for Anchorage School Board]
The munipality’s Election Center is ready to receive ballots from four new Secure Drop Boxes that are flagged and easy to see, in addition to the other 12 drop box locations. There will also be six Accessible Vote Centers throughout the municipality where voters can receive and return their ballot. A map with the hours and locations of the Secure Drop Boxes and Accessible Vote Center can be found at the municipal elections website.
Don’t forget to drop off or send your ballot return envelope on or before Election Day, Tuesday, April 2! You can return your ballot to a Secure Drop Box until 8 p.m. that night. Check out the locations and hours of operation for Accessible Vote Centers if you want to return or vote your ballot there. Use first-class postage on or before Election Day if returning your ballot by mail. If you are mailing your ballot on Election Day, it is recommended that you ask your postmaster to hand-cancel, or postmark by hand, your return envelope to make sure it is marked with the correct day and time in order to be counted.
Choose to vote to support our community in the April 2 regular municipal election!
Barbara A. Jones serves as the municipal clerk for Anchorage.
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