Voters came out Tuesday, Oct. 4 for the 2022 City & Borough Regular Election.

The elections took place within the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers and the Homer Methodist Church from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A few voters commented on their experience voting.

“It was great, we slid right through,” one voter who preferred to remain anonymous said. “Everyone was really efficient.”

For all southern Kenai Peninsula voters, two propositions were up for decision.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Proposition 1, Apportionment of the Assembly and Board of Education, was the first. Voters were asked to select which option they thought best solved issues of representation and apportionment within the borough assembly.

Plan 1 would consist of nine districts in the borough with one assembly member and one board of education member each. Plan 2 would consist of 11 districts in the borough with one assembly member and one board of education member each, with an additional cost in the range of $13,000-$72,000 for adding the members.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Proposition 2, Educational Capital Improvement General Obligation Bonds, was the other contested proposition. This bond sought to acquire $65,550,000 for improving educational facilities across the Kenai Peninsula Borough, with specific project proposed for many school buildings.

Voter approval for this proposition authorizes for each $100,000 of assessed real and personal property value in the Borough an annual tax increase of approximately $45 to retire the debt or $25 if the State of Alaska lifts the debt service moratorium.

Voters at Homer City Hall voiced differing opinions about this proposition.

“I voted against it because it’s so much money,” a voter who asked not to be named said. “I know it affects the peninsula but it doesn’t really do much for the Homer

Homer resident Ahnie Litecky, held a different perspective on the proposition.

“The school bond is really important to me in this election just because there’s so many important projects that need to get taken care of in the district,” she said. “I really hope the bond passes … because education is really important and people should be supporting the infrastructure that contains where our children go to school.”

For members of the borough, the elections were also concerned with filling a Kenai Peninsula Borough Board of Education position for District 9. The sole candidate for this role was Homer resident John “Zen” Kelly. Serving on the board since 2016, and as the president from 2020-2022, Kelly hoped to be trusted with another three year term. “I look forward to continuing my service on the Board of Education,” said Kelly in his election statement.

Additionally, three candidates ran for South Kenai Peninsula Hospital Service Area seats. Tim Daugherty, Amber Cabana, and Ralph Broshes all ran uncontested for their three-year term positions.

For residents that live within the city limits of Homer, elections took place to determine who would serve as city council members and as the mayor.

Ken Castner ran unopposed for another two-year term as mayor, following experience in the position dating back to 2019. “I have always promised that I would be a ‘citizen’s mayor’ and believe I have performed well in that regard,” Castner said in his electoral statement.

For spots on the city council the votes carried more weight, as five different all ran for the occupation of only two seats. Two incumbents, Jason Davis and Storm P. Hansen, ran for the three-year term. Hansen has been a seat-holder since 2019 and Davis has been operating as council member since 2021. Moreover, newcomers Kenny Bryant, Mark Gordon, and Jay Baker also ran for the positions, hoping to claim the confidence of Homer voters.

Voters for the Kenai Peninsula Borough and City of Homer elections at Cowles Council Chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Charlie Menke/ Homer News)

Sign marking the Kenai Peninsula Borough and City of Homer elections at Cowles Council Chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Charlie Menke/ Homer News)

Voter registrars at the Kenai Peninsula Borough and City of Homer elections at Cowles Council Chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Charlie Menke/ Homer News)