2026 Municipal Election Guide
Sitka’s municipal election is Tuesday, October 6. Nine candidates are on the ballot running for public office — three are running for the mayor’s chair, three more are vying for two open assembly seats alongside one write-in candidate, and three are running for three open seats on the Sitka School Board. Voters will also weigh in on one ballot proposition.
To help voters make informed decisions, Raven Radio posed questions about some of Sitka’s most pressing policy issues to all candidates. You’ll find their answers below.
But we know there are more questions to be asked– so in mid-September we’ll host live election forums to ask candidates your questions. Submit questions for candidates to news@kcaw.org
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
Mayoral Candidates
Click on a candidate to learn more
Assembly Candidates
Click on a candidate to learn more
School Board Candidates
Click on a candidate to learn more
Proposition 1
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?
Informational: See Ordinance 2026-13. Under the current Charter, a special election must be held when an initiative or referendum petition is signed by at least one-third of voters in the last regular election. This amendment would remove the mandatory special election requirement. The petition would instead go before voters at the next scheduled regular or special election, unless the Assembly passes an ordinance calling a special election on the matter:
View the full ordinance memo here
Reporting: Sitka voters to weigh in on assembly’s special election discretion
Where to Vote in Sitka
Precincts 1 and 2 voters will cast ballots at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Polls will be open on Tuesday, October 6th from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Early in-person voting is available September 21 – October 5 at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
- Weekdays: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Saturdays: September 26 & October 3, 9:00 a.m. – noon
Absentee voting by mail, email, fax or personal representative is also available.
Find more information about absentee voting in Sitka here. If you have questions about your precinct or the election, call Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson at 747-1811.
Click on the map to see your voting precinct. If you have questions about your precinct or the election, call Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson at 747-1811. (Map courtesy of CBS)
Voting in KCAW’s Listening Region
KCAW will also cover election returns in its seven listening communities on October 6, unless otherwise noted. View sample ballots below, as available, and check back here for follow-up coverage.
Pelican Sample Ballot
Yakutat Sample Ballot
Port Alexander Sample Ballot
Kake Sample Ballot
