Anchorage Ombudsman

04/07/2026

04/07/2026

Reminder to Vote - Today is Election Day!

April 7, 2026
The Municipal Clerk’s Office reminds voters the last day to cast ballots in the Regular Municipal Election is TODAY, Tuesday, Election Day, April 7, 2026.

Vote at Home: Voters may return their ballot to a Secure Drop Box, to an Anchorage Vote Center (AVC), or by mail through the United States Postal Service (USPS) with first-class postage. Today is the last day for voters to return a ballot. If a voter returns their ballot through the mail today, Tuesday, April 7, they should take it to a USPS post office and ask the clerk to apply a manual postmark to make sure their vote will count!

Return Voted Ballots to Secure Drop Box: Voters are reminded that there are 18 Secure Drop Boxes throughout the municipality that are open until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, April 7, 2026. Voters in line at a Secure Drop Box by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day will be allowed to drop off their ballots. Voters can call the Voter Hotline at (907) 243-VOTE (8683) or search the online map of Secure Drop Box locations at www.muni.org/elections/dropbox to find the location of the closest Secure Drop Box.

Vote in Person at an Anchorage Vote Center (AVC): Voters may visit one of the three Anchorage Vote Centers to vote in person if the voter has lost or damaged their ballot, didn’t receive a mailed ballot, or prefers to vote in person. Voters must have proper identification to vote in person at an Anchorage Vote Center. Voters in line at an AVC by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day will be allowed to vote or drop off their ballots. The following are locations and hours for the Vote Centers on Election Day:

City Hall
632 West 6th Avenue, Room #105
Election Day, April 7, 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
All Municipal ballots will be available at this location.

Loussac Library
3600 Denali St., 1st Floor, Assembly Chambers
Election Day, April 7, 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
All Municipal ballots will be available at this location.

Eagle River Town Center
12001 Business Boulevard, Community Room #170 (same building as the library)
Election Day, April 7, 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Only Chugiak-Eagle River ballots will be available at this location

Please remember to vote and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same!

Voter Questions: Voters may get help with voting questions by visiting muni.org/elections or by calling the Voter Hotline at (907) 243-VOTE (8683).

Official Website of the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska

04/07/2026

Free People Mover rides for Election Day today.

We hope your favorite flavor of ride is FREE, because it’s all we’re serving up this Election Day, Tuesday, April 7th!

Need a lift to your nearest drop box or voting center? That’s a FREE ride. Already turned in your ballot? That’s a FREE ride. Still on the fence and need just a little more time to decide? That’s a FREE ride.

Visit https://ow.ly/3vRJ50YEKFj for full details on the election, then hop on over to PEOPLEMOVER.ORG to plan a trip and make your voice heard on Election Day with FREE rides from People Mover!

04/05/2026

Just 3 days left to return your ballot! You can place it in one of our 18 drop boxes this weekend-- it's easy, and they're open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Visit muni.org/elections/dropbox for locations.

04/02/2026

EDIT: Let's clarify the USPS rules regarding postmarks!

Mail sent through USPS does not receive a postmark until it is processed at a Regional Processing Center (RPC)-- not necessarily the day that a postman picks up mail from a mailbox. Because of this, USPS recommends that voters mail their ballots early or take your ballot to a post office for a manual postmark. If you have already mailed your ballot, yours should still be processed in plenty of time to meet our April 7th deadline.

We encourage you to sign up for BallotTrax to track your ballot at anchoragevotes.com. You will receive alerts when MOA Elections receives your ballot return envelope, whether you've sent it through the mail, placed it in a drop box, or returned it to a Vote Center. Make your vote count! Don't risk a late postmark on your ballot.
_____________________________________________________________

If you are mailing your ballot this week, consider taking it to a postal counter for a manual postmark. Ballots must be postmarked by April 7th. You can also place your ballot in one of our 18 secure drop boxes or take it to a Vote Center before 8:00 p.m. on Election Day! Locations and hours can be found at muni.org/elections.

Call our Voter Hotline at 907-243-VOTE if you have any questions!

03/30/2026

Over 13,000 voters have returned their ballots! Have you returned yours? Make sure yours counts by voting by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, April 7th. Find drop box locations and learn other ways you can vote at muni.org/elections. Or call the Voter Hotline at 907-243-VOTE!

03/30/2026

The Municipality of Anchorage Votes at Home- but if you prefer to vote your ballot in-person, come visit one of our Vote Centers from March 31st to Election Day on April 7th! We offer two locations in Anchorage and one in Eagle River. Visit muni.org/elections to find out more!

03/23/2026

Applications Open for 2026-2027 Anchorage Assembly Youth Representative

03/23/2026

🗣 CALLING ALL TRAIL USERS AND TRAIL ADMIRERS! Ready to help shape the future of Anchorage’s trails? This is your chance! We’re making a final call for public comments on the draft Recreational Trails Plan and your voice can make a real difference.

Here’s what to know:

• The Recreational Trails Plan lays out a refreshed community vision for improving trails in Anchorage, Eagle River, and Chugiak.
• A draft plan is posted now, and the last day for public comment is March 31.
• Prefer paper? Hard copies are available at City Hall.
• The plan introduces a brand‑new trail standard called Trail Class 6. It’s designed to give bicyclists, pedestrians, and skiers their own space on wider or parallel multi‑use paths.
• Want your comments to pack a punch? Reference specific project numbers! The interactive map makes this super easy to explore.

Help us spread the word and shape the trails you love ✨

Explore and comment here: https://publicinput.com/rectrails
Check out the interactive project map: https://arcg.is/1vfWDP2

03/11/2026

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Assembly Leadership is Seeking Experts to Review 2026 Property Valuation Appeals

Today, Assembly Chair Christopher Constant and Vice Chair Anna Brawley issued a call for applications for the Board of Equalization, a volunteer, quasi-judicial board appointed by the Anchorage Assembly to hear tax assessment appeals brought forward by property owners.

This spring, concerns about 2026 Property Tax Assessments resulted in 1,953 appeals, "a record number which is beyond the capacity of the existing Board to address in a timely manner," said Board Chair Ian Moore. Currently, only nine of 21 Board seats are filled. Chair Moore told Assembly Members yesterday, "With two Appeal Sessions daily, each consisting of three board members, appeals would not be fully resolved until November 12."

"Local government relies on neighbors coming together to serve," said Assembly Vice Chair Brawley. "We need experienced professionals who are eager to learn and make a difference in our community to step up."

"Anchorage is a place where one person can make a real difference," said Assembly Chair Constant. "The pressure is on. I invite locals with experience in real estate, taxes, banking, engineering, title companies, mortgage companies, or law to rise to the challenge and serve our neighbors on the Board of Equalization."

Interested residents with backgrounds in real estate, taxes, banking, engineering, title companies, mortgage companies, or law can apply by sending a resume and cover letter to the Municipal Clerk at [email protected].

Applications will be screened based on relevant expertise and knowledge of quasi-judicial proceedings. Finalists will be submitted to the Anchorage Assembly for confirmation.

Learn more on the Municipal Clerk's website.
Contact
Christopher Constant, Assembly Chair
District 1, North Anchorage
[email protected]

Anna Brawley, Assembly Vice Chair
District 3, West Anchorage
[email protected]

03/11/2026

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE PolicyMap that Helps Identify Land for 10,000 New Homes in Anchorage Community Development Authority?

The Anchorage Community Development Authority (ACDA) has launched a new feature in its PolicyMap Data Tool that highlights vacant, abandoned, and privately offered properties available for development across Anchorage.

The new mapping layer supports Mayor Suzanne LaFrance’s goal of building 10,000 homes in 10 years by making it easier for builders, investors, and housing partners to identify potential development sites.

The first 7 properties are now available in the tool, including privately offered land opportunities. ACDA will continue expanding the dataset as additional properties are submitted by private landowners interested in connecting with potential developers.

The PolicyMap tool can be accessed at: https://www.acda.net/policymap

“Housing starts with identifying where we can build,” said Chad Stovall, ACDA Development Director. “This tool helps connect developers with available land so we can move housing projects forward faster.”

ACDA will continue adding properties to the mapping tool and encourage private landowners interested in submitting development sites to participate.

Anyone needing assistance using PolicyMap or interested in meeting with ACDA to discuss development opportunities on listed properties can contact ACDA at [email protected].

About ACDA

The Anchorage Community Development Authority works to revitalize Anchorage through strategic development, housing initiatives, and public-private partnerships. ACDA plays a key role in advancing Building Our City’s Future, the Municipality of Anchorage’s initiative focused on expanding housing, strengthening downtown, and supporting long-term economic growth.

The Anchorage Community Development Authority (ACDA) has launched a mapping and data tool with PolicyMap so residents, partners, and community organizations can quickly find essential statistics about Anchorage.