Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly unanimously certifies Oct. 7 election; members trade thanks

The Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly unanimously certified the Oct. 7, 2025 general election results on Oct. 22 during a special meeting in Kotzebue.

Canvas Chair Nauska read the election-day totals and recommended passage of Resolution 25-44 to certify the results. Lincoln Carr moved to approve the resolution, Raven Sheldon seconded, and the motion carried by roll call vote without opposition.

The certification came during a short agenda that opened at 11:03 a.m. with Haviland Lie calling the meeting to order and Miles Cleveland Sr. giving the invocation. Earlier in the meeting Craig McConnell moved to excuse Walter Sampson; that motion passed unanimously though Sampson participated later in the meeting.

During the audience comment period, Billy Lee thanked Miles Cleveland Sr. for his leadership and urged caution on local ice conditions, saying, "Be safe, thin ice; not safe." Carl Weisner thanked assembly members and asked, "When do we plan to get sworn in? at the next meeting?"

Assembly members used their remarks to thank departing colleagues and welcome newly elected members. Lincoln Carr encouraged residents to vote and warned of "big challenges coming up, negotiations and cuts," while several members praised the canvass committee and borough staff for their work on the recent election. Vice President Elmer Armstrong Jr. and President Nathan Hadley Jr. both offered congratulations to candidates and appreciation for staff who supported the process.

Mayor Moto also expressed gratitude to outgoing members and reaffirmed a commitment to addressing residents' needs. The assembly adopted a motion by Walter Sampson to adjourn at 11:55 a.m., seconded by Craig McConnell.

No other formal actions were taken at the special meeting.