The 2021 Anchorage municipal election saw slow early ballot counts and harassment of election officials. This year, election officials say things are running more smoothly.
totaling more than $45.6 million, and a school district bond proposal of more than $111 million. Typically, voter turnout is lower during election years without a mayoral race on the ballot or without a controversial proposition capturing voter attention.
The municipal clerk, in a report last year, described “disrespecting, harassing and threatening behavior” toward election officials by some election observers and members of the public. That reportIn another change, the clerk’s office has hired two observer liaisons, Dee Ennis and Ralph Duerre — retirees from the municipal attorney’s office.
Duerre said said that his role has helped facilitate connection and communication between the observers and election workers, and helps to ease any concerns or misunderstandings that may arise.Anchorage Assembly candidates see tight races as campaigns rake in unprecedented amounts of cashThe elections center on Thursday afternoon was filled with the hum of sorting machines and election workers processing ballots. Observers talked quietly.
It wasn’t immediately clear which campaigns were using the trailer. Several observers at the center on Thursday declined to be interviewed.outside the elections center so his observers could monitor the center 24/7.