Voting centers open as Anchorage mayoral runoff election nears an end
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The race for mayor will end Tuesday night following the runoff election between the top two candidates in April’s election.
The two candidates — former Anchorage Assembly Chair Suzanne LaFrance and incumbent Mayor Dave Bronson — did not receive enough votes to win the office (the winning candidate must win at least 45% of the vote to avoid a runoff), with LaFrance claiming 25,904 votes (36.2%) and Bronson getting 25,431 votes (35.5%).
The two candidates have engaged in a campaign season in which LaFrance has pointed out Bronson’s failures in dealing with the city’s homelessness crisis, inadequately snowplowed streets over the last two winters, and administration scandals; while Bronson has accused LaFrance of being “woke,” while saying she had been part of an Assembly unwilling to work with his administration.
The election commission will meet May 29 to adjudicate challenge ballots, and the election will be certified May 31 at a special Assembly meeting.
Voting locations opened last Tuesday and will be available for residents to cast their ballots until Tuesday, May 14, at 8 p.m.
Voting centers have been — and will be — open during the following times:
- May 7 to May 13, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, May 11, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Election Day, May 14, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Ballot drop-off bins can be found at the following locations:
- Anchorage City Hall
- Loussac Library
- Eagle River Town Center
- ASD Education Center
- Bartlett High School
- Begich Middle School
- Clark Middle School
- Dimond High School
- Election Center
- Fairview Community Recreation Center
- Girdwood Community Center
- O’Malley’s on the Green
- Planning and Development Center
- Service High School
- South Anchorage High School
- Spenard Community Recreation Center
- UAA Alaska Airlines Center
- West Anchorage High School
Residents can seek help by calling the municipal election center at 907 243-8683 (VOTE) or emailing elections@anchorageak.gov.
Voters can track ballots once cast at anchoragevotes.com. All ballots must be returned or postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
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