City of Anchorage
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Ballot Drop Boxes
Election Day: April 2nd, 2024
Welcome to the Alaska Voters Guide! This guide compiles the information that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. Please share this guide with your friends and family!
City of Anchorage
Suzanne LaFrance is running for mayor on a platform of returning competence to city government, focusing on public safety, trails, education, addressing homelessness, and affordable housing. LaFrance comes with the experience of serving as chair to the Anchorage Assembly and plans to deliver expected city services by staffing up city departments and instilling a professional, positive workplace culture. She ran on fighting for state and federal resources for the municipality and running a transparent city government. We support Suzanne LaFrance for mayor.
Suzanne LaFrance is running for mayor on a platform of returning competence to city government, focusing on public safety, trails, education, addressing homelessness, and affordable housing. LaFrance comes with the experience of serving as chair to the Anchorage Assembly and plans to deliver expected city services by staffing up city departments and instilling a professional, positive workplace culture. She ran on fighting for state and federal resources for the municipality and running a transparent city government. We support Suzanne LaFrance for mayor.
Endorsed By: Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
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International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 5, Anchorage Central Labor Council, Anchorage Police Department Employees Association PAC, Anchorage Fire Fighters Union, Anchorage Education Association, Alaska Laborers Local 341, Operating Engineers 302, Plumbers & Steamfitters UA Local 367, ASEA PAC, Alaska AFSCME Retiree Chapter 52, Public Employees Local 71, Alaska Public Employees Association, Teamsters local 959, United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1496, Anchorage Democrats
Suzanne LaFrance is running for mayor on a platform of returning competence to city government, focusing on public safety, trails, education, addressing homelessness, and affordable housing. LaFrance comes with the experience of serving as chair to the Anchorage Assembly and plans to deliver expected city services by staffing up city departments and instilling a professional, positive workplace culture. She ran on fighting for state and federal resources for the municipality and running a transparent city government. We support Suzanne LaFrance for mayor.
Endorsed By: Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
,
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 5, Anchorage Central Labor Council, Anchorage Police Department Employees Association PAC, Anchorage Fire Fighters Union, Anchorage Education Association, Alaska Laborers Local 341, Operating Engineers 302, Plumbers & Steamfitters UA Local 367, ASEA PAC, Alaska AFSCME Retiree Chapter 52, Public Employees Local 71, Alaska Public Employees Association, Teamsters local 959, United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1496, Anchorage Democrats
Other Candidates
There are a few other prominent candidates in the Anchorage mayor's race. Read below for more details on these candidates.
Mayor Bronson's first term was defined by scandal and incompetence. Under his leadership, long-time municipal employees fled, leading to high vacancy rates across city departments, including the Anchorage Police Department. The inability to clear the streets for two straight winters under his leadership led to record school closures and parents having to stay home from work. Mayor Bronson failed to implement a plan to address homelessness, leading to record outdoor deaths and large camps throughout the city's green spaces. He also approved illegal contracts, and was accused of spying on employees and creating a sexualized work environment. We do not support the reelection of Mayor Dave Bronson.
Bill Popp led the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation for 16 years, before resigning to run for mayor. His long business background is a plus, but his absence of serving as an elected official is concerning. Anchorage residents need a leader with experience to get our city back on track. We do not support Bill Popp for mayor.
Chris Tuck has a long history in Alaska politics, having served seven terms in the Alaska Legisature. Despite Tuck's experience and accomplishments, he holds several concerning beliefs, including an anti-abortion stance. In 2020, he joined several other Democrats around the country in writing a letter asking the national Democratic Party to drop their support for abortion rights. Tuck also opposed Real ID on the belief that the IDs contain a GPS tracker, opposed the use of flouride in drinking water and claimed TSA scanners took naked pictures of people. Tuck's tendency to believe misinformation is concerning. We do not support Chris Tuck for mayor.
Darin Colbry did not mount enough of a campaign for us to support him for mayor.
Craig Breck did not mount enough of a campaign for us to support him for mayor.
Dustin Darden did not mount enough of a campaign for us to support him for mayor.
Nick Danger did not mount enough of a campaign for us to support him for mayor.
Jenny Di Grappa did not mount enough of a campaign for us to support her for mayor.
Phil Isley did not mount enough of a campaign for us to support him for mayor.
There are a few other prominent candidates in the Anchorage mayor's race. Read below for more details on these candidates.
Mayor Bronson's first term was defined by scandal and incompetence. Under his leadership, long-time municipal employees fled, leading to high vacancy rates across city departments, including the Anchorage Police Department. The inability to clear the streets for two straight winters under his leadership led to record school closures and parents having to stay home from work. Mayor Bronson failed to implement a plan to address homelessness, leading to record outdoor deaths and large camps throughout the city's green spaces. He also approved illegal contracts, and was accused of spying on employees and creating a sexualized work environment. We do not support the reelection of Mayor Dave Bronson.
Bill Popp led the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation for 16 years, before resigning to run for mayor. His long business background is a plus, but his absence of serving as an elected official is concerning. Anchorage residents need a leader with experience to get our city back on track. We do not support Bill Popp for mayor.
Chris Tuck has a long history in Alaska politics, having served seven terms in the Alaska Legisature. Despite Tuck's experience and accomplishments, he holds several concerning beliefs, including an anti-abortion stance. In 2020, he joined several other Democrats around the country in writing a letter asking the national Democratic Party to drop their support for abortion rights. Tuck also opposed Real ID on the belief that the IDs contain a GPS tracker, opposed the use of flouride in drinking water and claimed TSA scanners took naked pictures of people. Tuck's tendency to believe misinformation is concerning. We do not support Chris Tuck for mayor.
Darin Colbry did not mount enough of a campaign for us to support him for mayor.
Craig Breck did not mount enough of a campaign for us to support him for mayor.
Dustin Darden did not mount enough of a campaign for us to support him for mayor.
Nick Danger did not mount enough of a campaign for us to support him for mayor.
Jenny Di Grappa did not mount enough of a campaign for us to support her for mayor.
Phil Isley did not mount enough of a campaign for us to support him for mayor.
Anchorage Assembly District #2
Mark Littlefield is running unopposed for this seat.
Mark Littlefield is running unopposed for this seat.
Mark Littlefield is running unopposed for this seat.
Anchorage School District
Pat Higgins has over a decade of experience on the Anchorage School Board, fighting for better retention of teachers and better outcomes for students, with a particular focus on Career and Technical Education. Higgins is endorsed for reelection by a number of labor organizations. We support Pat Higgins for relection to the Anchorage School Board.
Pat Higgins has over a decade of experience on the Anchorage School Board, fighting for better retention of teachers and better outcomes for students, with a particular focus on Career and Technical Education. Higgins is endorsed for reelection by a number of labor organizations. We support Pat Higgins for relection to the Anchorage School Board.
Pat Higgins has over a decade of experience on the Anchorage School Board, fighting for better retention of teachers and better outcomes for students, with a particular focus on Career and Technical Education. Higgins is endorsed for reelection by a number of labor organizations. We support Pat Higgins for relection to the Anchorage School Board.
Other Candidates
Kay Schuster has worked nearly 30 years with the Anchorage School District and is curently the district's special education department chair . She ran for Seat E on two separate occassions — once in 2016 and in 2017. She is a proponent of misinformation, particularly around mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and PragerU, a conservative media platform that produces extremist content targeted toward children. Schuster's support of these views is concerning. We do not support Kay Schuster for Anchorage School Board.
Kay Schuster has worked nearly 30 years with the Anchorage School District and is curently the district's special education department chair . She ran for Seat E on two separate occassions — once in 2016 and in 2017. She is a proponent of misinformation, particularly around mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and PragerU, a conservative media platform that produces extremist content targeted toward children. Schuster's support of these views is concerning. We do not support Kay Schuster for Anchorage School Board.
Dora Wilson is running for her second term on the Anchorage School Board, and has been a strong member of the Anchorage School Board, prioritizing teacher retention, sustainable education funding and equity in our schools. We support reelection for Dora Wilson to the Anchorage School Board.
Dora Wilson is running for her second term on the Anchorage School Board, and has been a strong member of the Anchorage School Board, prioritizing teacher retention, sustainable education funding and equity in our schools. We support reelection for Dora Wilson to the Anchorage School Board.
Dora Wilson is running for her second term on the Anchorage School Board, and has been a strong member of the Anchorage School Board, prioritizing teacher retention, sustainable education funding and equity in our schools. We support reelection for Dora Wilson to the Anchorage School Board.
Other Candidates
Angela Frank did not mount enought of a campaign for us to support her for school board.
Angela Frank did not mount enought of a campaign for us to support her for school board.
Carl Jacobs is running for his second term on the Anchorage School Board. Jacobs is a foster parent and works for Southcentral Foundation as a compliance analyst. On the school board, he supported increased mental health services in schools, financial literacy programs, and anti-bullying programs. Jacobs also advocates for an increase of per-student funding to help ensure a better future for our students and for Anchorage. We support reelection for Carl Jacobs to the Anchorage School Board.
Carl Jacobs is running for his second term on the Anchorage School Board. Jacobs is a foster parent and works for Southcentral Foundation as a compliance analyst. On the school board, he supported increased mental health services in schools, financial literacy programs, and anti-bullying programs. Jacobs also advocates for an increase of per-student funding to help ensure a better future for our students and for Anchorage. We support reelection for Carl Jacobs to the Anchorage School Board.
Carl Jacobs is running for his second term on the Anchorage School Board. Jacobs is a foster parent and works for Southcentral Foundation as a compliance analyst. On the school board, he supported increased mental health services in schools, financial literacy programs, and anti-bullying programs. Jacobs also advocates for an increase of per-student funding to help ensure a better future for our students and for Anchorage. We support reelection for Carl Jacobs to the Anchorage School Board.
Other Candidates
Chelsea Pohland did not mount enought of a campaign for us to support her for school board.
Chelsea Pohland did not mount enought of a campaign for us to support her for school board.
Anchorage Ballot Measures
Proposition 1 would allow the municipality to make much needed safety and security improvements to schools. If approved, money from bonds would go toward structural and safety updates to Alpenglow Elementary, Central Middle School and Chugiak High School; security improvements to Kasuun, Lake Hood and Klatt elementary schools; renovations at Romig Middle School; replacing Inlet View Elementary School; and planning and design for next school year. There would be an annual tax increase by $12.43 per year per $100,000 of assessed property value, an annual increase of about $12.43 to pay off the borrowed money, and about $0.17 per year added to the tax cap to cover ongoing maintenance.
Proposition 1 would allow the municipality to make much needed safety and security improvements to schools. If approved, money from bonds would go toward structural and safety updates to Alpenglow Elementary, Central Middle School and Chugiak High School; security improvements to Kasuun, Lake Hood and Klatt elementary schools; renovations at Romig Middle School; replacing Inlet View Elementary School; and planning and design for next school year. There would be an annual tax increase by $12.43 per year per $100,000 of assessed property value, an annual increase of about $12.43 to pay off the borrowed money, and about $0.17 per year added to the tax cap to cover ongoing maintenance.
Proposition 2 asks whether the municipal charter can be amended to add the chief medical officer of the municipality to the mayoral appointments requiring confirmation from the Anchorage Assembly before serving in the role.
Proposition 2 asks whether the municipal charter can be amended to add the chief medical officer of the municipality to the mayoral appointments requiring confirmation from the Anchorage Assembly before serving in the role.
Maintaining and improving infrastructure such as roads and storm drainage is critical to keeping our city running. This bond would increase annual property taxes by $12.43 per $100,000 of assessed property value. We support Proposition 3.
Maintaining and improving infrastructure such as roads and storm drainage is critical to keeping our city running. This bond would increase annual property taxes by $12.43 per $100,000 of assessed property value. We support Proposition 3.
Anchorage has one of the most expansive trail systems in the country. The hundreds of miles of trails allow residents and visitors to bike, ski, walk, and run along scenic views of the ocean and mountains. This trail system and our parks are a crown jewel of our community, and something we can continue to improve upon. This proposed bond would have an annual tax increase of $1.04 per $100,000 of assessed property value. We support voting yes on Proposition 4.
Anchorage has one of the most expansive trail systems in the country. The hundreds of miles of trails allow residents and visitors to bike, ski, walk, and run along scenic views of the ocean and mountains. This trail system and our parks are a crown jewel of our community, and something we can continue to improve upon. This proposed bond would have an annual tax increase of $1.04 per $100,000 of assessed property value. We support voting yes on Proposition 4.
This bond would fund the replacement of the roof and heating system for the police station on Elmore Road. It would increase taxes by $0.31 per $100,000 of assessed property value. We support this proposition.
This bond would fund the replacement of the roof and heating system for the police station on Elmore Road. It would increase taxes by $0.31 per $100,000 of assessed property value. We support this proposition.
This bond would fund the repair and replacement of transportation infrastructure and equipment, ranging from traffic signals and bus stops to ambulances and transit vehicles. It would increase annual taxes by $0.93 per $100,000 of assessed property value. We support this proposition.
This bond would fund the repair and replacement of transportation infrastructure and equipment, ranging from traffic signals and bus stops to ambulances and transit vehicles. It would increase annual taxes by $0.93 per $100,000 of assessed property value. We support this proposition.
This bond would fund improvements to cemetaries in Anchorage, Eagle River and Girdwood and would increase annual property taxes by $0.83 per $100,000 of assessed property value. We support this proposition.
This bond would fund improvements to cemetaries in Anchorage, Eagle River and Girdwood and would increase annual property taxes by $0.83 per $100,000 of assessed property value. We support this proposition.
A publicly assessable restroom can be one of the hardest things to find in a city. Proposition 8 proposes funding 20-30 public restrooms across the city. The funding covers the purchase, installation, cleaning and repair of the restrooms, and would increase taxes by $1.01 per $100,000 of assessed property value. This is an investment in our city and the people who live and visit it. We support voting yes on Proposition 8.
A publicly assessable restroom can be one of the hardest things to find in a city. Proposition 8 proposes funding 20-30 public restrooms across the city. The funding covers the purchase, installation, cleaning and repair of the restrooms, and would increase taxes by $1.01 per $100,000 of assessed property value. This is an investment in our city and the people who live and visit it. We support voting yes on Proposition 8.
This bond proposes funding improvements to roads and trailheads leading into Chugach State Park. Chugach State Park is one of the many incredible amenities we have as Anchorage residents, and preserving and improving access increases our quality of life. This bond increases annual property taxes by $0.95 per $100,000 of assessed property value. We support this proposition.
This bond proposes funding improvements to roads and trailheads leading into Chugach State Park. Chugach State Park is one of the many incredible amenities we have as Anchorage residents, and preserving and improving access increases our quality of life. This bond increases annual property taxes by $0.95 per $100,000 of assessed property value. We support this proposition.