The Kenai City Council passed a resolution opposing the Doyon Coalition Redistricting Map. The Alaska Redistricting Board adopted six plans for inclusion in the public hearing tour and all maps, with the exception of one keep the City of Kenai whole in one district. The Doyon Coalition Proposed Plan, adopted by the Alaska Redistricting Board for inclusion in the tour separates a portion of the City of Kenai and puts it in a different district from the rest of the City of Kenai.
Doyon
According to the city, if the Doyon Coalition Proposed Plan were to finally be adopted by the Alaska Redistricting Board as presented, it’s likely that the portion for the City of Kenai located in a different district from the rest of the city will be included in an election precinct with the majority of the precinct being outside of city limits, not only creating a fourth election precinct for the City of Kenai, but also causing a split precinct for local elections.
Vice Mayor Bob Molloy said at the October 20th meeting:
“I did testify to the Alaska Redistricting Board in opposition to the Doyon proposal as an individual member of council. I made it clear that it was not the position of the council. I notified them that this resolution was being brought by Council Member Knackstedt and Pettey and would be up for public hearing tonight. They basically indicated that it would be good to get a copy of it from the clerk before their public comment period closed and when I indicated that we were hearing it tonight, they said, ‘well that’s a sufficient time.’”
Resolution 2021-61 states that by adding a fourth precinct, the city will realize increased costs for its elections. They also say its possible that a city resident in that portion separated into a different district could have to travel outside of the city to cast their city election ballot, which could contribute to voter confusion.