A “Vote Here” sign is seen at the City of Kenai building on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)

A “Vote Here” sign is seen at the City of Kenai building on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Voices of the Peninsula: Get out there and Vote!

The League of Women Voters on the Kenai and Kenai Peninsula Votes created this voter guide for the mayoral election

If you’re not sure who to vote for in the Kenai Peninsula Borough mayoral election on Valentine’s Day, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, this Voter Guide can help you. The League of Women Voters on the Kenai and Kenai Peninsula Votes created this voter guide for the mayoral election.

Unfortunately, it is too big to show here, but you can read the KPB Mayoral Voter Guide at linktr.ee/kenaipeninsulavotes.

We asked the four candidates — Dave Carey, Zach Hamilton, Peter Micciche and Linda Hutchings — these questions:

What makes you the most qualified candidate to be mayor for our borough?

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

What are some hobbies or skills that you possess that would help you be an effective mayor?

How can we increase voter turnout for borough and city elections?

If you had one wish that would help our communities grow over the next four years, what would it be?

What are your top three priorities if elected mayor of the borough?

Last time we had a special mayoral election, back in October 2017, 19% of registered voters did their thing.

Our last borough/city election, October 2020, we had 18% of voters vote.

The problem with voter turnout and voter education is prolific. The good news is, it only takes one more person who is reading this and saying to themselves, I will vote on Valentine’s Day.

One last note, you can also vote early at the following polling stations from Monday, Jan. 30 through Tuesday, Feb. 14:

KPB Clerk’s Office, 144 N. Binkley Street, Soldotna: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

KPB Homer Annex, 638 E. Pioneer Avenue: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Kenai Clerk’s Office, 210 Fidalgo Avenue: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Seldovia Clerk’s Office, 235 Dock Street: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Seward Clerk’s Office, 410 Adams Street: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Make a pledge to go out and vote and be educated on what you are voting on. Our community needs to hear from all of us. All voices need to be heard, and all votes count.

Alex Koplin is a founding member of Kenai Peninsula Votes, a nonpartisan voter advocacy organization.

More in Opinion

Alex Koplin. (courtesy photo)
Opinion: Public schools do much more than just teach the three Rs

Isn’t it worth spending the money to provide a quality education for each student that enters our schools?

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter to the Editor: Law enforcement officers helped ensure smooth, secure energy conference

Their visible commitment to public safety allowed attendees to focus fully on collaboration, learning, and the important conversations shaping our path forward.

Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo
The present-day KTOO public broadcasting building, built in 1959 for the U.S. Army’s Alaska Communications System Signal Corps, is located on filled tidelands near Juneau’s subport. Today vehicles on Egan Drive pass by the concrete structure with satellite dishes on the roof that receive signals from NPR, PBS and other sources.
My Turn: Stand for the community radio, not culture war optics

Alaskans are different and we pride ourselves on that. If my vehicle… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) delivers his annual speech to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Sullivan, Trump and the rule of lawlessness

In September 2023, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan established his own Alaska Federal… Continue reading

UAA Provost Denise Runge photographed outside the Administration and Humanities Building at the University of Alaskas Anchorage. (courtesy photo)
Opinion: UAA’s College of Health — Empowering Alaska’s future, one nurse at a time

At the University of Alaska Anchorage, we understand the health of our… Continue reading

U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, address a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: A noncongressman for Alaska?

It’s right to ask whether Nick Begich is a noncongressman for Alaska.… Continue reading

Boats return to the Homer Harbor at the end of the fishing period for the 30th annual Winter King Salmon Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Opinion: Funding sustainable fisheries

Spring is always a busy season for Alaska’s fishermen and fishing communities.… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference on Monday, May 19, 2025, to discuss his decision to veto an education bill. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: On fiscal policy, Dunleavy is a governor in name only

His fiscal credibility is so close to zero that lawmakers have no reason to take him seriously.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks in support overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of House Bill 69 at the Alaska Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Capitol Corner: Finishing a session that will make a lasting impact

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman reports back from Juneau.

Courtesy/Chris Arend
Opinion: Protect Alaska renewable energy projects

The recently passed House budget reconciliation bill puts important projects and jobs at risk.

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Capitol Corner: Choosing our priorities wisely

Rep. Justin Ruffridge reports back from Juneau.