Strong Early Voting Numbers in Anchorage Muni Election

April 02, 2012|By Rhonda McBride | Channel 2 News

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — By the time polls open in Anchorage on Tuesday morning at 7 a.m., more than 7,000 voters will have already cast their ballots. A steady stream of voters continued to arrive at the Loussac Library's absentee voting station, which has been open since March 19, for its final day of absentee voting Monday.

“It’s been extremely busy this year,” said Sharon McCracken, who was assisting voters at the voting station. “Friday, we had 322 voters.”

McCracken says the daily number of voters at the Loussac Library has been up from past years.

“The comments we have had -- have been how nice it is to be able to vote early -- and not have to deal with the crowds on election day,” McCracken said. “I think more and more people are enjoying the ability, realizing that they can vote early.”

In the last mayoral race, 7,333 absentee ballots were cast. And by noon on Monday, the number of early voters was close to that mark.

Many of the voters at the Loussac credited Proposition 5 for generating more interest in this year’s municipal election. If passed, the measure will add protections for gays, lesbians and transgendered individuals to the city’s anti-discrimination laws.

“I think everybody deserves not to be discriminated against,” said Alison Payne, who says she hopes people will get out and vote. “I think it’s about time that we pass that prop.”

Others, like Rogelio Sampaga, say they voted “no” on Proposition 5. He said as a Catholic, it was important to him to vote against the measure, especially because his bishop had asked him to. But Sampaga also believes the measure isn’t necessary.

“You’re bringing up something that somebody could sue you for, for not hiring them,” Sampaga said.

Kimberly Colbo wouldn’t say how she voted on Proposition 5, but believes controversy can be a good thing.

“I think people should be voting. So one way or another, whether you agree with something or don’t agree, if you don’t vote, your opinion doesn’t count,” Colbo said.

Email Rhonda McBride

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