Sitkans will elect two Assembly members, three School Board members and a new mayor, and weigh in on the Sitka Assembly’s special election discretion when they vote in the municipal election on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

To help voters make informed decisions, the Sentinel is collaborating with Raven Radio to publish responses from each candidate on questions regarding their backgrounds, and views on key city issues.

You’ll find the candidates’ answers below, along with recordings of live candidate forums, and the Sentinel’s reporting on the election so far.

Sample Ballot

The candidates

In the race for Assembly, four candidates are vying for two seats, each for three-year terms. Candidates are Sherri Blankenship, Mary Ann Hall, Darrell Windsor and JJ Carlson. Carlson is an incumbent.

Lisa Lane, Kevin Mosher and Thor Christianson are vying for the mayoral seat. Current Assembly members Mosher and Christianson have one and two years remaining in their three-year Assembly terms, respectively. If either of them wins the contest for mayor, the Assembly would appoint someone to serve in the seat until the next regular election. 

Running for three open seats on the School Board are three candidates: Phil Burdick, Kat Richards and Matthew Potter. The two highest-vote getters would win the three-year seats, and the third would serve the final year of a vacated term. Burdick is an incumbent, currently serving as Board president. 

Ballot Proposition 1

Ballot Proposition 1, placed on the ballot by the Assembly, asks:

“Shall the City and Borough of Sitka amend Section 6.01. of its Home Rule Charter to remove the requirement for a mandatory special election when at least one-third of voters in the last regular election sign an initiative or referendum petition, and instead allow the Assembly, by ordinance, to determine whether holding a special election is in the best interest of the municipality?” Yes or No.

Voter information

• Polls in Sitka's municipal election will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, in Sitka’s two voting precincts at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
• Early voting is available at Centennial Hall 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, through October 4. 
• October 1 is the final day to file as a write-in candidate.
• Ballots cast on election day and in early voting will be counted after polls close 8 p.m. on Election Day.
• Ballots cast by mail must be postmarked by Oct. 6; the last day to request a ballot by mail was Sept. 29. 
• Absentee and questioned ballots will be counted Oct. 9.
• Election results will be certified during the regular Sitka Assembly meeting on Oct. 13. 
• Those needing information may contact the city clerk's office at 907-747-1811 or email at clerk@cityofsitka.org.

Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce Forums

Assembly Candidate Forum:
Wednesday, September 16

Listen to a recording of the forum here

“Assembly Candidates Speak at Public Forum”: read the Sentinel’s summary of the Chamber forum here

Mayoral Candidate Forum:
Wednesday, September 23

Listen to a recording of the forum here

School Board Candidate Forum:
Wednesday, September 2

Listen to a recording of the forum here

Raven Radio’s On-Air Candidate Forums

Mayoral/Assembly Candidate Forum:
Tuesday, September 15

Mayoral - Listen here
Assembly – Listen here

School Board Candidate Forum:
Thursday, September 17, 6-7 p.m.

Listen here