Upcoming city election information

In case the recent cropping up of the signs didn’t tip voters off, it is election time again, and this year’s local city elections are already here. The first set of elections will be held on October 3 for city elections in Wasilla, Palmer, and Houston.

Here is a quick rundown of the people running for office.

In Wasilla, incumbent Mayor Glenda Ledford is up for re-election and is facing opposition from Bernadette “Bee” Rupright.

Wasilla City Council Seat ‘C’ Timothy Johnson, the current councilman holding the spot, is running unopposed for another 3-year term.

Seat ‘D,’ which is held by incumbent Simon Brown II is running against Ian Crafton.

There are no proposals listed for the residents of Wasilla this election cycle. For more information about the candidates running for office, see the city's website.

In Palmer, the process is slightly different. There are no named seats as there are in Wasilla and Houston, but rather, residents are asked to vote for 2 of the three candidates listed on the ballot.

Those names Richard Best, Jim Cooper, and Thomas Ojala IV. Best and Ojala IV currently serve on the Palmer City Council.

The Palmer ballot also has two proposals for voters to decide. First it Proposition 1, which asks if the City of Palmer should issue general obligation bonds not exceeding the amount of $10M to finance capital improvements the Palmer Public Library. Proceeds of the bonds would go toward paying the costs of planning, designing, prep work and construction of the Palmer Public Library.

Proposition 2, if approved, would amend the Palmer Municipal Code to increase the amount of the residential real property exemption for seniors and disabled veterans from $68,000 to $150,000.

The exemption would apply to those people 65 years or older, a disabled veteran, or at least 60 years old and a widow or widower of a person who qualified for an exemption as noted above.

For more information about the Palmer elections, see the city's website.

Meanwhile in Houston, there are city council seats for election as well as two propositions.

First up is City Council. Last year, following the abrupt resignation of then-Mayor Virgie Thompson and Deputy Mayor Lance Wilson, the council held special elections to fill the vacated council spots after the resignations. Another city council spot also had to be filled when another council member resigned after moving out of city limits.

Those 3 spots are up for election this year, two of which fill the normal three-year terms.

First up for Houston City Council Seat ‘A’ is incumbent Jay Lowenstein, who is running against Lisa Johansen to fill the spot until 2026.

Seat ‘B’ has current councilman Jeffrey Brasel running unopposed.

For Seat ‘D,’ the incumbent, David Duren, is not seeking re-election after his special election. Running for his seat is Dale Lloyd and Kent Mitchell.

The proposal for residents to vote on is Prop H-1, which would increase the current sales tax by .05% for a period of 5 years, beginning January 1, 2024 until December 31, 2028. If approved, the proceeds from the tax increase would specifically go towards the renovation and construction of parks and recreational facilities in Houston.

The second proposal, H-2, asks voters to consider whether the city should provide qualified residents with the tax exemption already provided to Mat-Su Borough residents under MSB Code 3.15.037, and provide a real property tax exemption of $114,000 of assessed value that exceeds $150,000 of real property owned and occupied as a permanent place of abode by a resident who meets the same criteria as listed in the Palmer Proposition, that being a person 65 years or older, a disabled veteran, or at least 60 years old and a widower of a person who qualified for an exemption as noted above. This exemption would be in addition to any other exemption applicable to the property and the owner must apply for this exemption by April 30 of the assessment year for which exemption is sought but not required to file again unless there is a change in ownership or occupancy of the residence.

For more information about the Houston elections, see the city's website.

Local city elections have already started early voting. In-person voting will be held on Tuesday, October 3.