Skagway residents cast their ballots in the 2015 municipal election. (Emily Files)
Voting for the Alaska Primary Elections began Tuesday at 7 a.m. In Haines, polling booths were set up at the Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall and the Klehini Valley Fire Department. In Skagway, residents voted at the City Hall Assembly chambers.
Haines candidates occupied two spots on the ballot for this year’s primary race for House District 33. Tom Morphet and James Hart ran as Democrats for the seat being vacated by Representative Sam Kito III.
While leaving the voting booth at the ANB Hall, Tim June said he came out to support Morphet.
“You know, Tom is very well-read. He knows Southeast Alaska. Being a journalist, he knows pretty much every topic. I think he would make a great Legislator,” June said.
James Hart announced he was dropping out of the race two weeks ago. However, he made the decision after the deadline to formally withdraw had passed, so his name appeared on the ballot.
When asked how he felt about Hart’s campaign, June said he might have supported him. He is still glad that Hart is getting more involved in politics.
“I think that hopefully, he is going to run again in another election. It’s great to hear. Especially someone that young to start out that early is a great thing,” June said.
Haines Assembly member Heather Lende said that she was excited about candidate Alyse Galvin who is running for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Lende said that Representative Don Young has been in office long enough and Galvin has many appealing qualities.
“I like that she’s a woman. I like that she’s younger. I like that she’s independent and not a Republican or a Democrat. I like that she’s a real advocate for public education,” Lende said.
Haines Public Safety Commissioner Patrick Hefley said that he hopes his vote will diversify the choices of candidates available during the general election, even if he decides to vote for someone else.
“There are people I voted for today because I wanted them to be on the ballot to give people a choice. I may not vote for those candidates when the time comes when all the candidates are reflected and running in the actual election, but I believe that provides us a pretty creative opportunity.”
Haines Republicans had a shorter ballot this primary. There are no Republican primary elections for House District 33 and Senate District Q. However, there were many more candidates running in the Republican primary for governor.
Haines resident Jim Blilie voted in the Republican primary. He said that he is hoping governor Bill Walker will be unseated in the regular election.
“It’s just time for a change, so that’s why I voted. I don’t agree with the way he is operating and so… It’s just time for a change. People shouldn’t stay in office forever,” Blilie said.
Haines resident Bill Stacy said that even though he doesn’t have strong opinions about the candidates this primary, he believes in taking advantage of his right to vote.
“I think it’s extremely important. It’s a privilege. If you look at a lot of other countries they don’t have a say so, and even those where they allegedly have a say so, they really don’t. We’re not really frightened. We’re able to vote the way we think we ought to, and weigh the issues on our own and make our own decisions. We’re not afraid of being shot or put in prison or beaten up if we have a certain philosophy. I think that’s wonderful. I think that’s a real gift that we’re able to do that.”
The polls close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 21st.
Tune in to KHNS for live coverage of the results after 8 p.m. Tuesday evening.
