Voting may not traditionally be your favorite thing to do but looking at the voter turnout for the August election, maybe it’s at least becoming more important. Because the August turnout rocked!

The statewide turnout was 32%. In 2020 it was 22.7%.

Locally, for the Kenai Peninsula: Senate District C (Seldovia to Kenai/Soldotna), there was a 36.9% turnout compared to 27.9% in 2020. Senate District D (North Kenai Peninsula), 36.38% compared to 23.03% in 2020.

Similarly if you break down for House districts: District 6 (Homer to Kasilof) had a whopping 43.27% turnout. District 7 (Kenai/Soldotna) was 33.16% and District 8 (North Kenai Peninsula) was 39.53%.

2020 primary election statistics do not break down by House districts.

In general, the Kenai Peninsula voter turnout increased by almost 10%. So, pat yourselves on the back and give some thumbs up to each other! Voting is our superpower and we proved it.

The next election will be our borough and city election held Oct. 4. This is a nonpartisan local election. Here are some important dates to note for that:

Sept. 4 is the deadline to be a registered voter for the Oct. 4 election, do so at the state elections web site: elections.alaska.gov.

Sept. 27 is the deadline to apply for a Borough/City elections Absentee Mail-in Ballot. Do that at kpb.us/assembly-clerk/elections/elections.

Be an informed voter and remember, all votes count and all voices matter.

Therese Lewandowski for Kenai Peninsula Votes