Ranked Choice Voting

Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage

October 4, 2024

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The General Election is on November 5th. Make sure you're ready to vote and check out our last newsletter with information on how to register and how to vote early. When Alaskans vote, Alaska wins!

This November, voters will decide whether to repeal our current system of one-vote open primary elections and ranked choice voting (RCV) general elections. Alaskans approved this voting system by popular vote in 2020. Please read on to learn more about Ballot Measure 2.

Vote on Ballot Measure 2

Ballot Measure 2 will be on our ballots in the 2024 General Election. Ballot

Measure 2 is a proposal to close Alaska's one-vote, open primary elections and repeal ranked-choice voting (RCV) general elections in Alaska.

“No” on Ballot Measure 2 keeps ranked-choice voting in Alaska.
“Yes” on Ballot Measure 2 repeals ranked-choice voting and returns to closed party primary elections in Alaska.

In the 2020 General Election, voters approved a one-vote nonpartisan Primary Election and a RCV General Election. In the open primary election, a registered voter votes for their favorite candidate, regardless of their party affiliation, and the four candidates who receive the most votes proceed to the general election. Under RCV in a general election, voters rank candidates on the ballot in order of preference: first, second, third, and fourth. If one candidate receives a majority (50% plus one) of the first-choice votes, they win. If no single candidate wins this simple majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and voters that ranked that candidate 1st have their vote counted for their next choice. This process continues until one candidate receives a majority of votes.

Supporters of this system of voting say it has increased bipartisanship in Alaska's elections and empowers voters. In one-vote open primaries, multiple candidates from one party may advance to the general election since all candidates appear on a single ballot. They say maintaining Ranked-Choice Voting encourages moderate, common-sense policies at every level of our state.

Opponents of this system of voting say it has weakened the role of the Republican and Democratic parties. They want to return to the closed Republican primary system from before the 2020 General Election. In closed party primary elections, the candidate is more likely to reflect their party's priorities.

The majority of Alaskans are independent voters and are not registered as either Democrats or Republicans.

To review more information about Ballot Measure 2, please visit the Division of Elections website: elections.alaska.gov/petitions-and-ballot-measures/

Crisis Now Update

Our office has long supported the implementation of Crisis Now in Alaska. This model supports communities to develop better systems of care for people in behavioral health crisis while reducing over-reliance on inappropriate treatment settings like emergency departments and jails. The Crisis Now model includes four stages of care: a crisis call center, mobile crisis response teams, crisis stabilization centers, and crisis residential centers.

In 2020 and 2022, our office supported the passage of Senate Bill 120 (2020) and House Bill 172 (2022), which established the licensing requirements for crisis stabilization centers and crisis residential centers. Crisis stabilization centers are 23-hour facilities where someone can receive treatment if they need a safe place to recover from a behavioral health crisis that endangered themselves or others. Crisis residential centers are facilities where someone can be held if the person presents a safety risk to themselves or others and their condition can be treated within 7 days. Providence plans to open the first crisis stabilization center in Anchorage in early 2025. Southcentral Foundation broke ground this summer on a co-located crisis stabilization center and crisis residential center that they plan to open in 2026.

Two years after the passage of HB 172, the Crisis Now model is being implemented across Alaska in ways that are unique to the assets and challenges of each participating community. To learn more about what Crisis Now looks like across the state, watch the video below.

Pedestrian Safety in Anchorage

Thirteen pedestrians have been killed on Anchorage roads this year, with six fatalities occurring in September. Most of the accidents occurred on high-speed arterial roads such as Northern Lights Blvd., Minnesota Dr., and the Seward Highway. Most were crossing roads without utilizing crosswalks - some occurred where no crosswalks exist.

Last week, the Assembly introduced a resolution to improve pedestrian safety in Anchorage. The resolution makes several policy recommendations:

Immediately install improved lighting. Providing adequate light—especially in our shoulder seasons when conditions are darkest—is vital to safety in our winter city.
Lower speed limits by at least 10 mph, not to exceed 35 mph on major roads. The single most impactful risk factor to pedestrians is speed. A pedestrian hit by a vehicle traveling at 40 mph has an 85% chance of being killed, compared to a 40% fatality rate when the vehicle is travelling at 30 mph.
Produce a public education campaign about the impact of speed on pedestrian safety. Reiterating our shared responsibility for reducing the number of preventable deaths on our roads is something we can all get behind—the Municipality and the State, drivers and pedestrians alike. An education campaign could include distributing pedestrian safety equipment, similar to the Center for Safe Alaskans, which mails reflective tape to households throughout the state.
Increasing enforcement of traffic violations along identified corridors and improving pedestrian behavior. Whether you drive, ride, walk, or roll, everyone needs to follow the rules of the road, including traffic enforcement (AMC 9.16) and pedestrian rights and duties (AMC 9.20).

With 4 pedestrian deaths for every 100,000 people, Anchorage is on track to become one of the most deadly cities for pedestrians in the country. October is when daylight wanes and snow has yet to fall, making it one of the darkest months of the year. Not incidentally, October is also Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month. It's a reminder to look out, slow down, and drive safely.

While we should be proud of our bike paths and greenbelts, infrastructure in Anchorage still favors driving over biking and walking. We should invest in both safety measures to protect bikers and walkers as well as the infrastructure required for non-motorized commuters. Pedestrian-friendly infrastructure isn't just good for safety. By encouraging more people to bike and walk, we also improve mental and physical health outcomes for residents, improve city air quality, reduce carbon emissions, and save money on street maintenance.

To read the full Assembly resolution, click here.

To order free reflective tape, click here.

Community Information

→ Distribution of Dividends

The Alaska Department of Revenue announced the 2024 dividend amount of $1,702, which includes a $1,403.83 dividend and a one-time energy relief payment of $298.17. The Department of Revenue has already distributed many checks by direct deposit. Applicants with a “Eligible-Not Paid” status as of October 18will have payments disbursed starting on October 26, 2024. This payment includes 2024 paper and electronic applications, direct deposit, and check payments.

To check your application status, please visit: myinfo.pfd.dor.alaska.gov/

→ Boards and Commissions Service Opportunities

🖋️ Public Naming Commission

The new Municipal Public Naming Commission is looking for members to flagship a new process for naming Anchorage's public places with a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, including:

A member with a background in history, anthropology, or archaeology.
An Alaska Native culture advisor with knowledge of local Indigenous history and culture.
A person recommended by the Native Village of Eklutna.
A member with expertise in historic preservation (this seat is currently filled through 10/14/2026).
A member with experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion work.
Four community at large members residing in different areas and neighborhoods in the municipality.

Does this remind you of yourself or someone you know? Apply online at onboard.muni.org/application.

🏠 Board of Equalization

The Board of Equalization is looking for new members with experience in real estate, taxes, banking, engineering, lending, or law to hear tax assessment appeals.

Every year, assessments are sent to property owners. If owners wish to appeal their valuation, they bring their appeal to the Board of Equalization. Three board members are assigned to a panel to hear the appeal and then determine whether an error has been made. With sufficient evidence, the board has the power to alter the assessment of the property.

To apply, send your resume and cover letter to the Municipal Clerk at wwmasmc@anchorageak.gov.

→ Ted Stevens Legislative Internship

The Ted Stevens Legislative Internship is a fantastic opportunity for students in the University of Alaska system to get experience in the Alaska State Legislature and to learn more about State policy.

If you or anyone you know attending UAA or another UA campus is interested in serving in a state legislative office, earning 12 credits, and gaining invaluable work experience that can supercharge their transition to a career after graduation, please learn more about this program. Any major is welcome!

Applications are accepted online and are due on November 1st by 11:59 PM. To learn more and apply, please click here.

Community Events

Haunted and Enchanted Trail Nights

When: Friday October 18th and Saturday October 19th

Where: Goose Lake Park (2811 UAA Dr, Anchorage AK 99508)

Join Anchorage Parks and Recreation for two days of Halloween fun and festivities.

Haunted Trails

Friday, Oct. 18 from 7 - 9 p.m.

Enjoy a thrilling and frightful night. Creatures of the forest will come alive as you try to survive the Haunted Trail. This journey is no ordinary walk in the park and is not for the faint of heart (intended for 9+ ages), with two early exits. There will be music on the beach with a food truck and warming fire barrels. Shuttle bus transportation is available.

Tickets are $15/person in advance, and $20/person at the door. For more information, visit:

https://myalaskatix.com/events/haunted-trails-10-18-2024

Enchanted Trails

Saturday, Oct. 19 from 2 - 4 p.m.

Embark on a magical adventure through the woods at Goose Lake with our Enchanted Trail event! Kids will step into the fantasy-filled world of the Enchanted Forest, where they’ll train alongside elves, fairies, mermaids, and dragons to become Guardians of the Forest. This family-friendly adventure is filled with fun and games, and costumes are encouraged! Enjoy music on the beach, a food truck, and warming fire barrels

Tickets are $10/person in advance, $15/person at the door, and children two and under are free. For more information, visit: https://myalaskatix.com/events/enchanted-trails-10-19-2024

City Nerd Night: Healthy Soils

When: October 17, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Where: King St. Brewing (9050 King St, Anchorage Ak 99515)

Our next City Nerd Nite grows out of partnership with Solid Waste Services (SWS). As part of the first-ever Alaska Compost Conference, City Nerd Nite: Healthy Soils invites Anchorage locals to open the compost bin of creativity on Thursday, October 17!

Got a clever way to turn garbage into gardens? A strategy to keep our soil full of life and our food secure? We're not looking for expertise, we're looking for informed enthusiasm!

Can't make it to City Nerd Nite? This event will be livestreamed on Youtube!

Trick-Or-Treat Street

When: Saturday, October 26, 12:00 -4:00 PM

Where: West 4th Ave from C to F Street

Get ready for a family-friendly, spooktacular afternoon in Downtown Anchorage! Don your best costumes, get your heftiest candy bags ready, and enjoy fun activities as you wander along 4th Ave. and trick-or-treat at participating businesses. We’ll have plenty of fun activities planned for the whole family, including the Visit Anchorage Spooky Log Cabin, FlowZone dance performance at 1 p.m., a haunted trolley, llamas, vintage car trunk-or-treating, and a costume contest for people and pets starting at 2 p.m.! We’ll also have bouncy houses and a climbing wall for those who get the sugar zoomies. Attendees can enter to win FOUR Alaska Airlines tickets. Come one, come all, for a groovy and spooky afternoon of family fun! Attendance is FREE and open to the whole community.

For more information, click here.