Kenai
The city of Kenai has two council positions open. Jim Glendening and Glenese Pettey, who currently serve on the Kenai City Council, are running for seats in unopposed races.
The city also has an elected mayoral position up for election. The current mayor, Brian Gabriel, is the only candidate running for Kenai city mayor.
The city also has two propositions for residents to weigh on.
Proposition A asks voters if the city’s charter should be changed to eliminate the requirement of candidates running for mayor or city council to provide a nominating petition with 20 signatures.
The resolution was passed July 3 by the Kenai City Council, and will now go to the voters.
“It is in the city’s best interest to eliminate the petition requirement for candidacy as requiring a candidate to submit a petition with signatures of 20 or more voters merely presents an inconvenience to candidates and creates administrative work for the city without any real benefit to the public,” the resolution reads.
Proposition B has to do with when council members and the mayor’s terms begin after the election. The current city charter requires the term of office to begin the second regular council meeting after the election. The proposition asks voters if that charter should be changed to have terms begin the Monday following election certification.
Soldotna
The city of Soldotna has two city council positions up for a vote. The seats belong to current council members Tim Cashman and Lisa Parker. Parker is running unopposed for her seat on the council. Pam Parker and Dave Carey are both running for Cashman’s seat on the council.
Candidate filing ended Aug. 15 for elected positions at the Kenai Peninsula Borough and for the cities of Kenai and Soldotna.
How to vote
Residents have until Sept. 1 to register to vote in municipal elections, and absentee ballots can be submitted in person from Sept. 16 through Election Day, Oct. 1 at the following locations: The Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk’s Office at 144 N. Binkley St. in Soldotna from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Annex Office at 638 E. Pioneer Ave in Homer from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
The Homer City Clerk’s Office at 491 E. Pioneer Ave. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Kenai City Clerk’s Office at 210 Fidalgo Ave. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Seldovia City Clerk’s Office at 235 Dock St. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Seward City Clerk’s Office at 410 Adams St. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Election Day is Oct. 1, and polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Visit https://myvoterinformation.alaska.gov to find your nearest polling location, and visit the Kenai Peninsula Borough website for more information on the upcoming municipal elections.
