Local organization seeks to change elections

WASILLA — A local organization is on a mission.

Americans for Prosperity is advocating for a major change in the election schedules. The group wants to see the borough, municipal and general elections occur on the same day.

Group members spent time Sunday collecting signatures at the Menard Sports Center, during the Rodeo Alaska event, a part of the city of Wasilla’s Summerfest. Prior to Sunday, nearly 20 percent of those who voted in the 2015 Borough Mayoral election have already signed their name to the. Members of AFP had already collected nearly 2,000 signatures, prior to Sunday, according to grassroots organizer Ryan McKee. Only about 5 percent of the 100,000 people in the Valley voted for current Mat-Su Borough Mayor Vern Halter. AFP argues that holding borough elections one month before everyone else is “confusing, unnecessary and drastically limits voter turnout,” according to a one-page flyer distributed by AFP.

“Voter turnout would increase by at least 30 percent. One election will cost less than two. Maryland voted to delay Baltimore’s local election to be in November, saving the city an estimated $3.7 million in 2016,” according to information on the flyer.

AFP argues that by moving all of the elections to one day and not requiring separate trips to the voting booths, voter turnout would increase from 19 to 60 percent.

Voting numbers in the Valley recently saw double the usual amount of voters turnout to vote on the marijuana legalization.

“With all the money that’s going to be discussed with bonds we want to try to have more input from voters on those decisions,” said McKee.

McKee has been with AFP since their inception in the Valley in 2014. The initiative is in line with the goals of the organization, limiting government overreach.

“That would be fantastic! Voters would be more engaged, aware of things elected officials are doing, and support or not support them,” said McKee.

The initiative came to the attention of Sen. David Wilson, who brought it up when he visited with the Wasilla City Council on June 25. His first stop when he heard about the movement was the Wasilla City Clerk.

“I stopped in with her to check in to see what type of additional cost or problems or issues that may have,” said Wilson. “That’s something we did talk about in our state affairs before we adjourned this last session. Here in the borough they still use the same voting machines that the general [election] still use so as long as they still use the same equipment they should be an okay thing.”

While Wasilla City Councilman Tim Burney was vehemently against the possibility of a mail-in ballot similar to what Anchorage has done, Mayor Bert Cottle saw both sides.

“When you go up there you could end up with three different ballots that upsets people too. It’s not a perfect world,” said Cottle.

The movement came to the attention of AFP after Ron Johnson and Aaron Downing sponsored the initiative in 2015 and wanted to try again. Jeremy Price, AFP Statewide Director said that response from those who have spoken with him about it has been overwhelmingly positive, and that many ask why the elections aren’t run this way to begin with.

“How can anyone say greater voter turnout is a bad thing?” Price said. “With more members of the community making their voice heard on these issues, the better off the community will be.”

Contact Frontiersman reporter Tim Rockey at tim.rockey@frontiersman.com.