Protecting Your Rights: Serving Sand Lake, Spenard and Turnagain

September 2, 2020

In this issue:

• Fall Newsletter

• Absentee Ballot Applications

• One-Stop Shop for All Coronavirus Relief Fund Information

• Pandemic Food Relief

• Community Events

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Our Fall Newsletter is arriving in mailboxes this week!

Click on the graphic below to view an online version.

Fall Newsletter

Watch for our Fall Newsletter in your mailbox this week! Topics include:

Voting and Voting Deadlines
Absentee Ballots
Passed Legislation including: Pioneer Homes Rates, Insurance Coverage for Telehealth, Unemployment Benefits for COVID-19, Protective Orders, Electronic Documents & Notarizations, and Crisis Intervention Centers.

Click here to view our online version.

Absentee Ballot Applications

We encourage anyone who wants to vote by absentee ballot during the upcoming General Election to request the ballot early. In our Fall Newsletter, you’ll find an Absentee Ballot Application application form with instructions. All you need is an envelope and a stamp. 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.

Absentee Ballot and Voter Registration Dates & Deadlines

10/4/2020 Deadline for voters to register to vote or update their registration.
10/24/2020 Deadline for Division of Elections to receive absentee by-mail applications.
11/2/2020 Deadline for Division of Elections to receive absentee by electronic transmission ballot applications.
11/3/2020 *Election Day—Absentee ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by 11/3.

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

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

Paperless

You can also request an absentee ballot by filling out an Online Absentee Ballot Application. You must have a valid Alaska Driver's License or State ID to use this option.

Assembly Transitions Website to Serve as One-Stop Shop for All Coronavirus Relief Fund Information

The Anchorage Assembly recently transitioned the website dedicated to programs funded by the Coronavirus Relief Fund to a one-stop shop, making available all plans concerning funding allocations. The website is also a place for the community to connect with resources for rental and mortgage assistance, small business and nonprofit relief, and more.

The Municipality of Anchorage received $156 million in federal funding to assist local efforts to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 in the community. The Assembly allocated approximately $22.5 million of the funds to relief, response and support efforts in June and July, and on August 11, 2020 allocated the remaining funds. In total, the funds were distributed among the following priority areas:

Economic Stimulus: $33.4 million
Family Support: $18.85 million
Housing & Homelessness: $38 million
Public Health & Safety: $31.3 million
Community Investments: $5.5 million
Direct Municipal Response: $14.6 million
Contingency Fund: $14.9 million

Each priority area has a dedicated page on the website, where the public can find corresponding program information. The Municipality will update pages as new programs become available and will include links to resources such as applications for grant assistance or job programs.

The Assembly encourages the public to provide feedback on the performance of the programs funded by the Coronavirus Relief Fund. They also want to hear about any new COVID-19 concerns the public may have and any new ideas the Assembly should consider with the nearly $15 million set aside in a Contingency Fund. This fund was created to allow the Assembly and Municipal administration to mitigate possible impacts due to COVID-19 that occur later in the year.

HOW TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK

Written testimony is encouraged. The public can submit written comments through the Coronavirus Relief Fund website. The response will be forwarded directly to all Assembly Members.

The public may also submit comments by calling the Clerk’s Office at (907) 343-4311, where they will be directed to leave a brief message with their funding feedback. Recorded messages should be brief so they can be forwarded to all Assembly Members.

Pandemic Food Relief

Did your family have unexpected expenses as a result of lost school meals this spring? If so, you may qualify for Pandemic Food Relief.

Many Alaskan families are eligible for up to $458 per child, which will be loaded onto an EBT card that can be used to purchase groceries. The Food Bank of Alaska is encouraging families to apply by September 15, and the final deadline is September 30.

For more information, click here.

Community Events

Mark your calendars for this upcoming event:

Spenard Community Council

When: Wednesday, September 2 at 7:00 PM

Where: Virtual Zoom Meeting. Click here for details.

Facebook event page

Turnagain Community Council

When: Thursday, September 3 at 7:00 PM

Where: Virtual Zoom Meeting. Click here for details.

Sand Lake Community Council

When: Monday, September 14 at 6:30 PM

Where: Location and format will be determined later. Check back for details.

Joint Hearing on Alaska Board of Fisheries Appointees

The House Fisheries Committee and the House Resources Committee will hold a joint hearing on Thursday, September 3 at 10 AM to consider the governor's appointees to the Board of Fisheries: McKenzie Mitchell, Abe Williams, John Jensen, and John Wood.

Alaskans are encouraged to testify by phone by calling (844) 586-9085. Testimony will be limited to three minutes so everyone has an opportunity to weigh in.

When: Thursday, September 3 from 10:00 AM — 1:00 PM

Where: http://akl.tv/

For more information and to RSVP, visit the Facebook event page.