Final Mat-Su vote tally shows gas tax defeat, clean sweep by incumbents

What you need to know:

• Voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposed 7-cent-per-gallon motor fuel tax in an advisory vote, with final results showing 9,179 opposed and 4,140 in favor. A separate proposal allowing pro-rated property tax exemptions for veterans and seniors received strong support.
• All Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly and School Board incumbents either won reelection or ran unopposed in the borough’s annual election. Newcomer Michael Bowles won an Assembly seat; newcomer Lorie Colee won a School Board seat.
• Voter turnout was 13.73%. The election is scheduled for certification during a special Assembly meeting on Nov. 18.

• Short on time but need the local news scoop? Get free weekly news in your inbox for Mat-Su, from Mat-Su.

PALMER — Final ballot tallies for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s annual election updated this week show a clean sweep by Assembly and School Board incumbents and a resounding defeat in an advisory vote on the borough’s proposed motor fuel tax.

Results were updated Wednesday following several days of absentee and questioned ballot counting by a borough canvass board. The update included 1,527 absentee and special-needs votes. The board also reviewed more than 384 questioned ballots cast on Election Day; of those, 320 were added to the final tally and 64 were discarded.

Final returns show the vote on whether the borough should implement a 7-cent-per-gallon gasoline and diesel tax failed, 9,179 to 4,140, according to borough election documents. That’s an increase of 1,163 “no” votes compared to the Election Day and early voting ballot count.

The gas tax vote was advisory only. An Assembly vote on whether to approve the measure is expected early next month.

In Mat-Su Assembly races, the final vote tally shows Michael Bowles elected to serve a one-year term representing District 1, defeating Michelle Heun, 1,882 to 1,090.

In District 2, incumbent Stephanie Nowers was reelected, 1,602 to 606, over Dana Raffaniello, also for a one-year term.

In District 4, incumbent Maxwell Sumner received 965 votes and ran unopposed for a one-year term.

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In Mat-Su School Board races, Lorie Colee defeated challenger Dena McChargue, 1,163 to 896, in District 7.

In District 2, incumbent Kendal Kruse defeated Gage Saxton, 1,413 to 871.

District 5 incumbent Brooks Pitcher ran unopposed and received 995 votes.

All school board races were for three-year terms.

District 1 includes Butte and Sutton; District 2 includes Palmer; District 4 includes Wasilla; District 5 includes Knik Goose Bay Road; and District 7 includes Talkeetna.

A ballot question asking whether seniors and disabled veterans should receive pro-rated property tax exemptions after a midyear move was approved, 11,466 to 1,839.

Another question, presented to some Meadow Lakes residents, asked whether their Road Service Area should expand to include several additional property parcels. That measure was approved, 384 to 303.

Of Mat-Su’s 97,183 registered voters, 13,345, or 13.73%, participated in this year’s election.

The borough’s election results are scheduled for certification during a special Assembly meeting on Nov. 18.

-- Contact Amy Bushatz at contact@matsusentinel.com