The Soldotna City Council adopted a resolution supporting the efforts to increase voter awareness of upcoming elections. Precinct voter turnout in Soldotna for state and municipal elections is regularly less than 30% of registered voters with the voter turnout for the 2020 General State Election and 2020 Regular Municipal Election being less than 25% of registered voters.
According to resolution sponsor, Vice Mayor Lisa Parker, Alaska will have several elections this year, including the special election for Congressional Representative, state primary and general election, and municipal election:
“People oftentimes say they weren’t aware that there was an election. It’s to help remind people, educate them about the dates, time and location for upcoming elections with the intent to get more active engagement and participation from the public. We all would love to have more public come and participate in our meetings and let us know their opinions on any and all issues. The cost to do this is already estimated not to exceed $4,000 and the city can absorb these costs in the approved operating budget for this upcoming fiscal year.”
During the recent elections, the turnout has been below the ten-year average with city turnout in October 2021 at 11.65%. For the state of Alaska general election in November 2020, a presidential election year, turnout was 23.79%. The purpose behind the resolution is to help inform people on the dates, time, and location of upcoming city of Soldotna and State elections with the intent to have more active engagement and participation due to the fact that there are several elections coming up later this year, which could prove to be helpful to city voters.
Efforts to provide information could include activities such as placing signs, advertising on the city website, social media pages, reader boards, and radio advertising.
