What does it mean by this is a “By Mail” Election?

After partnering with the Municipality of Anchorage for two years to conduct our local Vote By Mail Elections using their Election Center, the CBJ Assembly appropriated funds for a portion of CBJ’s Thane Warehouse to be converted into a Juneau Ballot Processing Center (BPC). The Assembly passed a motion at its meeting on April 25 to conduct the Regular Municipal Election on October 4, 2022 as a “By Mail” Election in accordance with CBJ Code 29.07. As such, this year’s election will be conducted similarly to the 2020 and 2021 elections but with ballot processing taking place locally in Juneau at the new CBJ Ballot Processing Center. Please note that unlike the State elections, CBJ By Mail Elections do  NOT use neighborhood polling precincts on Election Day.

• Rather than having to go to a precinct polling place on Election Day, ballot packages will be mailed to all Juneau registered voters on September 13 to their mailing address on file with the State of Alaska Division of Election.
• Voters can return their fully voted ballot in the return envelope provided via Secure Drop Box, at one of two Vote Centers, or via USPS.
• For those individuals who chose to mail their ballots back, please be sure to affix the required postage, a mailed ballot must be postmarked by Election Day, October 4 to be counted and rejected unless it has a legible postmark if it is received at the Ballot Processing Center after election day.

How was the decision to conduct a Vote by Mail election made?

• In 2007, the Assembly changed the Election Code to allow for elections to be conducted by mail.
• In 2020, CBJ partnered with the Municipality of Anchorage to conduct the regular election by mail due to the pandemic. Due to its success and increased voter turnout, CBJ decided to conduct the 2021 Regular Municipal Election in the same way.
• In 2021, the CBJ Assembly appropriated funds for the creation of the new CBJ Ballot Processing Center and passed a motion on April 25, 2022 to conduct the October 4, 2022 as a By Mail Eleciton.

What should I do if I receive someone else’s ballot?

If you happen to receive a ballot that is not addressed to you or anyone in your household, you must cross out the address listed on the ballot and write “NOT AT THIS ADDRESS”. Do not open the ballot. Place the unopened ballot back in the mail as a “Return to Sender”. This will notify the Alaska Division of Elections Office that the voter does not reside at that address.

I’ve already mailed my ballot or dropped it off in the drop box, is there anything I can do to change my vote now?

If you have already mailed in or deposited your ballot at one of the drop boxes or vote centers, we cannot issue you a replacement ballot. Once you’ve turned in or mailed your ballot, it is considered cast and it cannot be re-voted.

I’ve already filled out my ballot but not yet mailed it. Now I want to change how I marked the ballot, can I get a replacement ballot?

If you have not yet sent in your voted ballot and want to spoil that ballot you received in the mail and be issued a replacement ballot, take your by mail ballot to one of our two Vote Centers (dates/times/locations listed on our website at https://juneau.org/clerk/elections) and they can destroy that ballot and issue you a replacement. Vote Center issued ballots must be voted at the Vote Center and cannot be removed from the Vote Center for voting at a later time.

If there were a replacement issued from a vote center, but your initial ballot was already mailed, only the first ballot received would count and any subsequent ballot would be rejected. In addition to that, your Voter Certification that you sign on your ballot envelope also states that you will not vote in any other manner in this election and has legal penalties for falsely signing the declaration.

Should you have any questions, please give us a call at the Election Call Center M-F 8am-4:30pm at 586-5278 option 4.

What happens if someone requests a “replacement” ballot and tries to vote twice?

Ballot envelopes are assigned a unique barcode for each individual voter. Upon return, only one ballot envelope from any voter is accepted – the first one in. Others are rejected. Ballots in an envelope with no barcode are rejected. Voting more than once in the same election, with the intent that your vote be counted more than once, is voter misconduct in the first degree under Alaska Statutes 15.56.040. Voter misconduct in the first degree is a class C felony.

What happens if someone intercepts my mail and votes my ballot?

When voting a ballot, you will be required to sign the Voter Certification and place a personal identifier (DOB, AKDL, Voter ID#, or last 4 digits of SSN) on the return ballot envelope.

If you are casting your ballot at a Vote Center, you will be asked to show ID to verify your identity.

If the ballot is returned via mail or drop box, your signature on the return ballot envelope is compared to your signatures already on file with the State of Alaska – e.g. your registration document, prior election materials, motor vehicle transactions, PFD application, etc.

Election officials who adjudicate signatures are trained with techniques used to identify matches and forgeries. If two trained election officials agree that the signature doesn’t match, you will be contacted by mail and provided an opportunity to cure the discrepancy.

If I move and forget to update my voter registration, will my ballot be mailed to my old address and will someone else be able to vote it?

Your Vote By Mail ballot is not forwarded to your new address. As mentioned above, the identification of the voter voting a ballot is verified either at a Vote Center or via signature review process. If you move, forget to update your voter registration, and don’t receive your ballot in the mail, you can call 907-586-5278 (option 4) or print the application from the website at www.juneau.org/elections to request an application for a ballot package to be mailed to a temporary address. Alternatively, you may go to a Juneau Vote Center to vote a by mail ballot package in person. You will be required to provide identification and a signature so we can verify your identity. When a new ballot package is issued to you, your previous ballot package will be voided, which is another way for election officials to tell that if it is returned, it wasn’t voted by you.

What if I moved out of Juneau and forgot to update my voter registration?
You will need to cancel your voter registrations through the State of Alaska/Division of Elections, they oversee the voter rolls. https://www.elections.alaska.gov/Core/cancelyouralaskavoterregistration.php or call the Division of Elections at 907-465-3021 or toll-free: 1-866-948-8683.

Can I vote by fax or email?

Yes. You must apply to vote by fax or electronic transmission. Print the application from the website at www.juneau.org/clerk/elections or call the CBJ Election Center at 907-586-5278 (option 4) or send an email to [email protected] to request an application for a Fax/e-ballot. Complete and return the application to CBJ Elections by 5:00 p.m. AKDT on October 3, 2022. Instructions are included with the application. Applications received after this date will not be processed.

What if I make a mistake while marking my ballot?

The ballot packet contains instructions about how to correct mistakes while marking your ballot. If you make a mistake on your ballot, you can request a replacement ballot from the Vote Center or you can correct it by striking through the oval and the candidate’s name or proposition answer that you do not want to vote for and filling in the oval beside the candidate or proposition you do wish to vote for write next to it “Valid vote for Candidate Name” or “Valid vote for “(Yes or No)” on Prop 1.”

How do I find information on the Candidates and are there any write-in Candidates?

• The list of Certified Candidates are now available on the CBJ elections webpage. At this time, no one has filed to become a certified write-in candidate.
• Certified Candidates have the opportunity to post an optional Candidate Profile on this webpage and profiles are linked to the name of each candidate who chose to submit one. If any write-in candidates file to run, their name will be listed on the candidate webpage but they do not have the option to submit an online Candidate Profile.
• Other information about candidates will likely be available on a variety of local media websites as well as the candidate’s webpages, if they have one.
• Anyone wishing to run as a write in candidate has to file a Notice of Intent to be a Write-In Candidate form with the Municipal Clerk a minimum of 7 days prior to Election Day.
• Election workers are not at liberty to discuss people or issues on the ballot, including the names of any write-in candidates, but election workers can direct voters to the Candidate webpage for a list of those candidates who may become certified as write-in candidates.

When will election results be available?

Preliminary “unofficial” results will be posted no earlier than the close of polls at 8pm on Election Day and updated periodically during the review of the returns until the Canvass Review Board and the Election Official certifies the election October 17-19.

All ballot return envelopes will be processed at the CBJ Ballot Processing Center and we hope to post prelimiary/unofficial results after the close of the polls on Election Day. Addtional processing and review of ballots received by mail, at the Vote Centers, and through the Drop Boxes up to 8pm on Election Day will continue to take place from October 5 through certification by the Canvass Review Board which is scheduled to begin work on Monday, October 17.

Voter Assistance available.  Municipal Clerk/Election staff is available to provide voter assistance with voter registration and/or answer election questions. Please contact the CBJ Clerk’s office at 586-5278 for assistance.

Where is the new Juneau Ballot Processing Center located?

The new City and Borough of Juneau Ballot Processing Center (BPC) is in a grey warehouse located at 1325 Eastaugh Way which is located just off of Thane Road and behind the tour bus parking lot.

• 2022 Vote By Mail Election – Quick Reference Dates-COMING SOON!
• Petition Process Flow Chart
• CBJ Charter and Code Excerpts re: Initiative and Referendum Process (please note these are convenience reference copies and if the event of any discrepancies, please see official copies on CBJ Law Dept. website.)
• Elections Code Link
• Resolution 2692 – Adopted June 9, 2014 Reaffirming CBJ Assembly District Boundaries and Renumbering Precincts.
• Juneau Voter Turnout Statistics 1990-2020

Election Workers Wanted!

We are hoping to find some civic minded, hard working election workers to once again assist Juneau voters in conducting this year’s municipal election. We are currently hiring/re-hiring election workers for a wide variety of tasks. Some of the positions include:

• Election Call Center Workers
• Vote Center Workers
• Ballot Drop Box Teams
• Canvass Review Board Workers
• On-Call Election Workers

There may be times when one or more of the above workers are not able to work during the assigned shift and/or other duties may arise during the election period which will require the use of an on-call election worker. Dates, times, and duration of work will vary depending on need. On-call workers may be asked to deliver and/or pick up ballots and election supplies from one vote center to another, ballot drop boxes, or other locations and will need to be licensed drivers and have reliable transportation for which they will be reimbursed for mileage.

Election Worker Qualifications

• registered to vote in Alaska;
• enjoy interaction with the public; and
• ability to perform duties in a neutral/non-partisan fashion.

An election worker should not work or volunteer on the campaign of a candidate or a ballot initiative that appears on the municipal ballot.  In addition, an election worker cannot have a familial relationship with a candidate on the municipal ballot. A familial relationship includes:

• mother, mother-in-law, stepmother;
• father, father-in-law, stepfather;
• sister, sister-in-law, stepsister;
• brother, brother-in-law, stepbrother;
• spouse; or
• person sharing the same living quarters.

Anyone interested in applying for any of our election positions, is encouraged to contact Municipal Clerk Beth McEwen at 907-586-5278 or send an email to [email protected].  Interested individuals will be asked to submit an updated CBJ job application available on our website at https://juneau.org/human-resources/employment-opportunities.

On April 14, 2022, the Municipal Clerk’s office received an Affidavit from a Petitioners Committee for a Referendum petition and the petition was certified on July 1, 2022 and forwarded to the Assembly. The Assembly has 30 days in which to take action or the matter will be placed on the October 4, 2022 Regular Municipal Election Ballot. The affidavit, letters to the Petitioner’s Committee and Charter/Code excerpts related to the referendum process are all linked below.

• July 1, 2022 Clerk Certification Letter to Referendum Petition Committee
• June 17, 2022 Clerk Letter to Referendum Petition Committee re Issuance of Supplemental Petition Books
• June 14, 2022 Clerk Letter to Referendum Petition Committee re Petition Status (Insufficient number of signatures)
• May 5, 2022 Clerk Letter to Referendum Petition Committee with Charter/Code excerpts
• April 14, 2022 Affidavit from Petition Committee for a Referendum Petition

• Initiative/Petition Flow Chart
• April 22, 2022 Clerk Memo to Assembly re: October 4, 2022 Regular Election Timelines
• Quick Reference Dates – working draft last updated May 4, 2022

Questions about the petition process should be directed to the Municipal Clerk’s office at 907-586-5278 or via email to [email protected]

• POLITICAL SIGNS & CBJ SIGN ORDINANCE INFO
  • Political signs do not require a CBJ Sign Permit for placement, but they must meet the following standards found in CBJ Ordinance 49.45.300:
  • Unlighted, political signs of up to thirty-two square feet each may be displayed on private property.
  • Signs may be installed no sooner than ninety days prior to the election date and shall be removed within five working days after the election date.
  • Political signs not relating to a specific election shall be limited to a display period not to exceed ninety days within one calendar year.
  • Unlighted political signs of up to four square feet may be displayed on private property up to two hundred seventy days prior to the election date and shall be removed within five working days after the election date.
  • Signs must be placed in a manner that does not obstruct the view of drivers to oncoming traffic.
  • Signs may not imitate traffic signs or signals, or be attached to or be placed adjacent to any utility pole, parking meter, traffic sign, signal, or official traffic control device.
  • Signs may not move, rotate or flash.
  • Signs on licensed, functional motor vehicles are allowed, provided that the primary use of the vehicle is not the display of signs and that such vehicle is not used as a static display for advertising. The State of Alaska Department of Transportation updated their sign rules in 2018. Please see the complete details regarding those requirements on their website at https://dot.alaska.gov/stwddes/dcsrow/campaignsigns.shtml
  • Questions regarding this may be directed to Right-of-Way Agent, AK DOT, 465-4546.
  • Starting September 15 when the Secure Ballot Drop Boxes open, no signs are to be displayed within 200 feet of any entrance to the Vote Centers or in proximity of one of the Secure Drop Boxes. [During the hours the polls are open, a person who is in the polling place or within 200 feet of any entrance to the polling place may not attempt to persuade a person to vote for or against a candidate, proposition, or question. (AS 15.15.170)]

1) How to Run – Introduction
2) How to Run – The Job
3) How to Run – Legal Requirements
4) How to Run – Campaigns
5) How to Run – Preparing to Run

Link to Filing a Candidate Public Official Financial Disclosure Statement (required to run for office)

Alaska Public Offices Commission Link for Public Official Financial Disclosure Forms

Alaska Public Offices Commission Link for Campaign Disclosure Forms

Step – by – Step Guide to filing an APOC POFD

APOC Candidate Training Resources

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2022 Candidate Filing Documents

This year the following seats will be on the October 4, 2022 Regular Municipal Election Ballot:

• • ASSEMBLYMEMBER – AREAWIDE (1 seat)
  • ASSEMBLYMEMBER – DISTRICT 1 (1 seat)
  • ASSEMBLYMEMBER – DISTRICT 2 (1 seat)
  • BOARD OF EDUCATION (School Board Member) (2 seats)

  Below are links to the complete packets containing the Declaration of Candidacy form, Nominating Petition, and Official Candidate Statement form for each of the above offices:

  • Assemblymember Complete Candidacy Packet-Revised 6/27/2022
  • Board of Education (School Board) Complete Candidacy Packet

OCTOBER 25, 2021 – ELECTION REPORT to the Assembly

OCTOBER 19, 2021 – OFFICIAL RESULTS as certified by the Canvass Review Board

OCTOBER 15, 2021 Preliminary Unofficial Results (Posted Friday at 7:45p.m.)

OCTOBER 11, 2021 Preliminary Unofficial Results

OCTOBER 8, 2021 Preliminary Unofficial Results

…

All Juneau voters registered by September 5, 2021  bwere mailed a ballot to their mailing address on file with the State Division of Elections. Ballots will be mailed out on Tuesday, September 14, 2021.

Notice of Election of the October 5, 2021 Regular Municipal Election

SAMPLE Ballot

2021 Absentee Voting Forms

Will you be traveling during the Municipal Election or do you need your ballot mailed to a different address then the one on file with State Division of Elections?

The deadline to submit an application for a Fax/e-Ballot is Monday, October 4, 2021 at 5:00p.m. Alaska Time. Click here for the 2021 Fax E-Ballot Application.

Voted Fax/E-ballot packets must be received electronically by CBJ Elections no later than 8:00p.m. Alaska Time on Tuesday, October 5 or postmarked by October 5 if it is being mailed back in.

2021 Temporary Address Application – the deadline has passed to receive a municipal ballot at a temporary address. If you need to request a ballot prior to 5pm on October 4, please use the fax/e-ballot application or reach out to the Clerk’s Office 586-5278 option 4 for Elections.

Juneau Vote Centers

Services available at the Juneau Vote Centers include:

• Drop off voted ballots
• Request a New or Replacement Ballot
• Request voter assistance
• Register to vote or update voter registration-for future elections.

Vote Center Locations & Hours:

City Hall Assembly Chambers, 155 S. Seward St.
Weekdays, September 20 – October 4: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Election Day, October 5: 7:00 am – 8:00 pm

Mendenhall Valley Public Library, 3025 Dimond Park Loop
Weekdays, September 20 – October 4: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturdays, Sept. 25 & Oct. 2: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Election Day, October 5: 7:00 am – 8:00 pm

Secure Ballot Drop Boxes
Will be open from September 16, 2021 until 8:00 p.m. on October 5, 2021 at the following locations:

Auke Bay-Statter Harbor BOAT LAUNCH Parking Lot
(NOT the Harbor Office parking lot.)
11801 Glacier Hwy, Auke Bay

or

Douglas Library/Fire Hall Community Building
1016 3rd Street, Douglas

2021 Candidate Filing Documents

LIST OF CERTIFIED CANDIDATES – UPDATED 9/22/2021 at 3:00 p.m.

This year the following seats will be on the October 5, 2021 Regular Municipal Election Ballot:

• MAYOR (1 seat)
• ASSEMBLYMEMBER – DISTRICT 1 (1 seat)
• ASSEMBLYMEMBER – DISTRICT 2 (1 seat)
• BOARD OF EDUCATION (School Board Member) (3 seats)

Below are links to the complete packets containing the Declaration of Candidacy form, Nominating Petition, and Official Candidate Statement form for each of the above offices:

• Mayor Complete Candidacy Packet
• Assemblymember Complete Candidacy Packet
• Board of Education (School Board) Complete Candidacy Packet

On May 3, 2021, the Municipal Clerk’s office received and approved three (3) Petitioner Committee Affidavits for the issuance of petition booklets for the following Charter Amendments:

Initiative Short Title: Limit Cruise Ship Hours

Initiative Short Title: Ship Free Saturdays

Initiative Short Title: Cruise Ship Size Limit

Copies of each of the three cruise ship related Charter Amendment Affidavits are linked above. Below are copies of the letter from the Municipal Clerk to the Petitioners Committees as well as a copy of Municipal Attorney Robert Palmer’s memo to the Clerk regarding legal review.

May 3, 2021 Municipal Clerk McEwen’s Letter of Instructions to Petitioners Committees

April 30, 2021 Municipal Attorney Palmer’s memo to Municipal Clerk

June 2, 2021 Letter to Assembly from Karla Hart on behalf of the Petitioner’s Committee (Juneau Cruise Control Board) in place of submitting the three Charter Amendment Petition Booklets.

In a separate matter, the following Petitioner Committee Affidavit for an Initiative Petition was filed with the Municipal Clerk’s Office.

Initiative Short Title: Vote By Mail Only During a Public Health Emergency

On Monday, May 10, 2021, the above initiative petition related to Vote By Mail elections was withdrawn by the petitioner committee’s representative.

Click Here for the Petition Process Flow Chart

• Archive Page

For additional assistance regarding any Municipal Election, please do not hesitate to contact:

CBJ Clerk’s Office
155 South Seward Street, Room 202
Juneau, AK 99801
Telephone: (907)586-5278 FAX: (907)586-4550 TDD: (907)586-5351
[email protected] 

To be eligible to vote in the City and Borough of Juneau, you must register 30 days prior to the municipal election, at an address within the City and Borough of Juneau.

If a voter has changed a name, residence address or mailing address, an updated voter registration application should be completed. Voters may register to vote at any of the following locations during regular office hours:

• State Division of Elections’ Office, 240 Main St., Room 601, Monday – Friday
• State Division of Elections – Region I Office, Mendenhall Mall, Monday – Friday
• Municipal Building, 155 S. Seward St., Clerk’s Office Room 202, Monday – Friday; and
• Any CBJ Library – check schedule for hours: http://www.juneau.org/library/contact_branch.php
• Check your Voter Registration status or apply on-line at https://myvoterinformation.alaska.gov/

What if I moved out of Juneau and forgot to update my voter registration?
You will need to cancel your voter registrations through the State of Alaska/Division of Elections, they oversee the voter rolls. https://www.elections.alaska.gov/Core/cancelyouralaskavoterregistration.php or call the Division of Elections at 907-465-3021 or toll-free: 1-866-948-8683.

If you have any questions, please contact the State Division of Elections directly at 907-465-3021.