Committee sets hearing on ordinance to align local elections, change filing windows and adjust worker pay

Borough Clerk Turner told the Policies and Procedures Committee that Ordinance 2026-02 would amend Title 4 of the borough code to align local offices with November state and federal elections and to update several administrative deadlines and pay rules.

Turner said the amendments would allow the borough to set its own election worker rates through the normal budget process rather than automatically matching State of Alaska rates. "I would like to suggest...allow us to set our own rates, through the normal budget process," Turner said, adding she did not anticipate a significant increase but wanted to keep pay competitive to retain experienced election workers.

The proposed ordinance would shift the candidate filing period to the last two weeks in August and add an additional one-week withdrawal period in September after the filing window closes. Turner said those changes would fit the administrative schedule for transmission of voter information to the software provider and ballot printer.

Turner also explained that terms of office that currently expire in October with certification would roll over to November so future terms would align with the new November election date; she noted the change would be needed for elections occurring in 2026, 2027 and 2028.

A committee member asked about the current withdrawal period, and Turner confirmed that under existing code candidates may withdraw only before the end of the filing period and that there is presently no separate post-filing withdrawal window. The chair announced the ordinance was brought by assembly members Eichert, Neeson and Tunseth at the request of the borough clerk and that a hearing on the ordinance would be held on Feb. 17, 2026.

The committee moved on to other agenda items without recording a committee vote on the ordinance; the hearing date was set as the next step.