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?

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.

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