Protecting Your Rights: Serving Sand Lake, Spenard and Turnagain

August 21, 2020

In this issue:

• U.S. Postal Service

• Absentee Ballot Applications

• Municipality Rent and Mortgage Assistance Pilot Program

• Remembering Representative Gary Knopp

• Greasy Pizza Boxes Now Recyclable in Anchorage

• Community Events

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

On Thursday, students in the Anchorage School District went back to school! I wish our students, their families, and the ASD teachers, staff, and administrators all the best as you navigate during these unusual and unprecedented times.

Thank you to our hard-working teachers for all they do for our schools and community.

U.S. Postal Service

Voting is one of our most cherished constitutional rights. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has posed great challenges to citizens exercising their right to vote in-person for this year's elections. Thankfully, we live in a state where all citizens have the option to vote by mail in the upcoming election if they wish, ensuring that Alaskans do not have to choose between their right to vote and their right to stay healthy and safe.

Voting by mail provides a safeguard to one of our most important democratic institutions during this critical time. Its feasibility, however, relies on a fair, effective, and smooth-running postal system. At both the national and state level, we are witnessing attempts to degrade the U.S. Postal System ahead of this year's elections.

Ahead of election season, Louis DeJoy, the U.S. Postmaster General, moved to implement a number of operational changes at USPS including eliminating overtime for mail carriers, reducing post office hours, and removing postal boxes. The changes, which negatively affect mail delivery times and rates, come at a time when voters will rely on absentee and mail-in voting options more than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following widespread outcry, DeJoy announced on August 18 that he would delay the controversial operational changes to USPS until after the November election.

But challenges to mail-in voting remain. In Alaska, absentee ballots must possess a witness's signature in order to be counted as valid. Postal officials have historically acted as witnesses, especially in rural communities, and are listed as an example of an "authorized official" on the absentee ballot. But this year, citizens have reported issues with obtaining witness signatures from USPS employees. In response to an inquiry by the Division of Elections, federal USPS representatives announced that post office officials are not allowed to act as ballot witness signatories while on duty. The new rule threatens Alaskans' right to vote by mail in this year's upcoming elections.

Accordingly, if you plan to vote by mail in the upcoming General Election, keep in mind that you will need a witness to sign your ballot. Alaska Division of Elections states that a witness must be someone 18 years of age or older or an authorized official (Notary Public, municipal clerk, or any other official authorized and willing to administer the oath). To ensure your vote and voice is counted, determine in advance who is available and able to serve as a witness for your ballot.

Absentee Ballot Applications

As we await the results of Tuesday's Primary Election, we encourage anyone who wants to vote by absentee ballot during the upcoming General Election to request the ballot early. The deadline to submit your absentee ballot application is October 24, 2020.

Absentee ballots must be postmarked on or before the General Election Day of November 3rd. You can also drop your absentee ballot in a secure drop box located at the Anchorage Division of Elections Office at 2525 Gambell Street prior to the close of polls on November 3rd.

For information on the absentee ballot, visit the Division of Elections website at: http://www.elections.alaska.gov/Core/votingbymail.php.

Apply Online (paperless)

The process to vote by mail in Alaska is now a little easier. Recently, the Alaska Division of Elections opened up an online portal that allows Alaskans to request an absentee ballot for this year's elections. This year, voters can apply for an absentee ballot online by following a few simple steps:

1. Log on to the Division of Elections' Online Absentee Ballot Application System website. You'll need a valid Alaska driver's license or ID card to complete your online application. If you don't have either of those documents, you can request a paper application. You can also register to vote or update your voter registration.

2. Select which election ballot you'd like to receive in the mail.

3. Select your ballot.

Apply By Mail

Voters may also apply by completing and submitting the printable application form and mailing it in. Once completed and signed, you can return the form to the Division of Elections by fax, email, or by mail. You'll want to be sure to supply the address where you currently receive mail, as the Post Office cannot forward ballots.

After completing and signing the application, please return it to:

Division of Elections Absentee and Petition Office

2525 Gambell Street, Suite 105

Anchorage, AK 99503

You can contact the Alaska Division of Elections Absentee and Petition Office for assistance by calling 907-270-2700 or emailing akabsentee@alaska.gov.

You can track the status of your absentee application at myvoterinformation.alaska.gov.

Municipality's Rent and Mortgage Assistance Pilot Program

If you or someone you know has been financially affected by COVID-19 and need help paying your rent or mortgage, call 2-1-1 (dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221) to apply for the Municipality's Rent and Mortgage Assistance Pilot Program. To apply for this program, residents need to call 2-1-1 and answer a series of screening questions. Interpreters are available at 2-1-1 to provide translation services over the phone. All screened applicants will be contacted to set up an appointment. Applicants will need to bring a photo ID, a rental/lease agreement or mortgage statement, and a copy of their most recent paystub or self-employment identification. Rental or mortgage assistance will be made out directly to landlords or mortgage companies, not to renters or borrowers.

The period will remain open until funds are exhausted or September 30, 2020, whichever comes first. Call 2-1-1 to apply.

Remembering Representative Gary Knopp

Earlier this month, we learned of the tragic passing of Representative Gary Knopp. Gary was a dedicated legislator who cared first and foremost about serving the people of his district. He was a hardworking man of great integrity who excelled at working with legislators from different backgrounds toward the common goal of helping Alaskans. He will be greatly missed as a friend and legislator.

Greasy Pizza Boxes Now Recyclable in Anchorage

Greasy pizza boxes are now accepted in all Anchorage cardboard recycling (curbside and drop-off)! Greasy pizza boxes have previously not been accepted in Anchorage recycling due to concerns that the grease would affect the ability to recycle cardboard into new boxes. But new data shows small amounts of leftover grease and cheese have no effect on the recyclability of cardboard.