During election certification at the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly, a Canvass Board report was presented. This year witnessed a remarkable turnout in the Mat-Su borough election, with early voting seeing a significant increase compared to previous years. Around 40,000 of the roughly 96,100 registered voters participated, achieving a 41.66% turnout. The early voting tally of 12,631 ballots broke the previous record of 5,810 set in 2022.Historical Context and Election Changes
The borough's previous overall voter turnout record was set in 2022 when about 34,000 voters cast ballots. Borough elections, which were historically held on the first Tuesday in October, were moved to November in 2019 to align with state and national elections. Additionally, early voting was introduced in 2019. This year's record-breaking early voting turnout was not unique to the Mat-Su borough but reflected a similar trend statewide. Across Alaska, 73,146 voters cast early ballots, surpassing the previous record of 53,229 set in 2020.
Major Bond Measures and Incumbent Re-elections
Borough voters approved $58 million in funding for the construction of three new public school buildings with a vote of 22,558 to 21,724. Another $36.4 million for the construction and improvement of 10 major borough road projects passed by a wide margin of 30,025 to 14,160. These new bond measures will raise borough property taxes by up to $51 per $100,000 of assessed value.In Assembly races, District 7 incumbent Ron Bernier defeated challenger Sheena Fort 3,128 to 2,703. District 7 includes Talkeetna. In District 3, which includes parts of Palmer and Wasilla, incumbent Dee McKee defeated Luke Hyce 4,300 to 1,477. Dmitri Fonov ran unopposed in District 6, which includes Wasilla.In the borough mayor's race, incumbent Edna DeVries defeated registered write-in candidate Hillary Palmer 38,013 to 2,504. In school board races, incumbent Thomas Bergey secured re-election to the District 1 seat, defeating Ben Kolendo 4,980 to 2,328. District 1 includes Butte and Sutton. Brooks Pitcher ran unopposed for District 5, which includes the Knik-Goose Bay Road area. Newcomer Andrew Shane ran unopposed for the District 4 seat, which includes Wasilla.
Fire Service Area Mergers and Swearing-In Ceremonies
Two propositions allowing borough officials to merge the Caswell and Willow fire service areas received voter approval. The measures passed with significant margins in Caswell (195 to 124) and Willow (548 to 471). After the certification on Tuesday, Borough Mayor Edna DeVries and council members Dmitri Fonov, Dee McKee, and Ron Bernier were sworn in for new terms. School board members are scheduled to be sworn in during a meeting on Wednesday.This story was updated on Nov. 19 with the latest data. Contact Amy Bushatz at
[email protected]. This story has been republished with permission from the original at the Mat-Su Sentinel.
