Haines voters weigh in at the polls

Haines residents joined voters across Southeast Alaska on Election Day to cast ballots for local borough assembly and school board. This year, polling places were at the usual locations at the ANB Hall in downtown Haines, or the Klehini Volunteer Fire Department at 26 Mile serving the Mosquito Lake community. KHNS’ Corinne Smith caught up with voters in-person at the ANB Hall.

It’s a clear sunny morning, and there’s a steady stream of voters stopping by the polls before work. 

Borough clerk and election supervisor Alekka Fullerton, is there dropping off more voting supplies and checking in with poll workers. 

“We had 451 people vote when the polls open this morning at 7 a.m., which is tied for the record of early voting.”

That’s 19 percent of eligible voters, and she says she’s expecting about a roughly 39 percent voter turnout. 

Katie Palmer and Eric Holle have been voting in Haines for 35 years.

“Well I’m very excited to be able to vote, and I hope everyone gets out and votes,” Palmer says. “I was excited there was a write in for the school board, Keely Baumgartner. And I’m very excited that a young person is running again, because I think the future is possibly a little bleak climate-wise, and I think it’s really important that young people get to start making decisions about the future, so I’m hopeful that Tyler Huling will get in.”

Tyler Huling is one of four candidates running for two seats on the Haines borough assembly. There are six candidates running for four school board seats. Holle says he also hopes to see former borough manager, Debrah Schnabel win an assembly seat.

“Because she is extremely open minded, and considers a lot of points of view, and has a lot of experience in local government.”

Gary Keller says he cast votes for assembly candidates Brenda Josephson and Richard Clement.

“Josephson and Clement for sure.”

Smith: “And how come?”

“Because they’re not greenies,” Kellar said. “They want some commercial activity, something to keep the place alive. Some logging and mining would be good. Or anything else that brings in some money for the common working man.”

Haines judge Orion Hughes-Knowles is a first time voter in Haines, since he moved to town in January 2020. He said it felt important to participate in the democratic process. 

“Participation is what makes our system work, and so it’s always good to see people out and about and know people feel the same,” he said.

Lauren Fahy displays the signature ‘I voted’ sticker on the front of her bright orange jacket. She moved to Haines from Anchorage last year during the pandemic, and works remotely as an accountant. She says it’s been a great experience so far, and would like to see more young people represented.  

“The more young people we get involved I think the more attraction there would be to young people who want to come to Haines, and make a living out here, and I think that’s really important. You know, have fresh faces out there to get involved and make a difference,” Fahy said.

James “Gooch Eesh” Hart is an artist and business-owner, a tribal council member with the Chilkoot Indian Association, and a local delegate to the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. He says he’d like to see more collaboration between the tribal council and the Haines assembly.

“Just a stronger collaboration with tribal government,” Hart said. “I think that since we are the original stewards of this land, that we do deserve the opportunity to have a space at the table. Whether our views are the same (or not) I think we all deserve the opportunity to talk about what’s best for our community.”

Borough Clerk Alekka Fulerton says ballots have been returned via email by voters outside of town – including fishermen out on the water – and there’s still a fax option. All ballots must be returned or postmarked  by 8 p.m. Tuesday — that’s when polls close.