How to run for office this year in Palmer, Wasilla or Houston

What you need to know:

• Palmer and Wasilla residents have until July 31 to file for City Council or, in Wasilla, mayor. Houston's filing period closed July 15, but residents can still run as write-in candidates. Municipal elections are Oct. 6 and are nonpartisan.
• Palmer candidates for one of three City Council seats must submit an application packet, a nominating petition with signatures from 20 registered Palmer voters, and required campaign finance paperwork by 4 p.m. July 31. Write-in candidates are also allowed.
• Wasilla candidates must submit an application packet by 5 p.m. July 31. Mayoral candidates must have lived within city limits for at least two years before Election Day, while City Council candidates must have lived in the city for at least one year. Houston's filing period has ended, but eligible residents may still run as write-in candidates for the two City Council seats up for election.
• Short on time but need the local news scoop? Get free weekly news in your inbox for Mat-Su, from Mat-Su.

Residents looking to run for city council in Palmer or Wasilla, or for Wasilla mayor, have until July 31 to submit their applications.

Houston’s candidate filing period ran from July 1 to 15 and is now closed. Residents there can still run as write-in candidates.

The election for seats in the three cities is scheduled for Oct. 6.

Races in Palmer, Wasilla and Houston are nonpartisan, and candidates do not declare a political party affiliation.

Interested in running? Here’s what would-be candidates need to know about filing for the Palmer, Wasilla and Houston races.

How to run for Palmer City Council

Residents who have lived within Palmer city limits for at least one full year before Election Day and are registered voters can file to run for one of three council seats up for election in 2026. Two of the council seats carry three-year terms; one council seat carries a one-year term.

Unlike in Wasilla and Houston, Palmer candidates must submit both a candidate application packet and a nominating petition. The petition requires signatures from 20 registered Palmer voters.

Packets are available from Palmer City Hall or online and include a checklist, application paperwork and the petition. All election paperwork must be submitted to the city clerk no later than 4 p.m. July 31.

The packet also includes campaign finance paperwork from the Alaska Public Offices Commission. Municipal candidates in Palmer are exempt from filing a financial disclosure form known as a POFD, but they must submit an exemption form, according to the city’s website.

Candidates who raise or spend more than $5,000 must submit fundraising reports to APOC during their campaign. Those who do not must file a pair of exemption forms. Candidates can contact APOC for more information or visit this information page.

Palmer’s city council operates under an at-large system. Residents choose a certain number of council members from a general list of candidates, rather than electing candidates to specific seats. Those with the most votes win. For example, this year voters will select two individuals from the list of candidates running for the three-year terms.

The seats up for election in 2026 are currently held by Penny Mosher, Sherry Carrington and Richard Allen.

Residents who miss the candidate filing deadline can still run as write-in candidates.

How to run for Wasilla Mayor or City Council

Registered voters who have lived within Wasilla city limits for at least one full year before Election Day can run for one of two city council seats up for election in 2026. The seats carry three-year terms.

Residents can also run for Wasilla Mayor, which carries a three-year term. Residents who have lived within Wasilla city limits for at least two full years can run for mayor.

Candidates must complete and submit an application packet to the city clerk no later than 5 p.m. July 31. The packet is available for download on the city’s website or can be picked up at Wasilla City Hall.

The packet includes campaign finance paperwork from the Alaska Public Offices Commission. Unlike in Palmer, Wasilla candidates must submit a financial disclosure form known as a POFD.

Candidates who raise or spend more than $5,000 must file fundraising reports with APOC. Those who do not must submit two exemption forms. More information is available on the Wasilla website.

Unlike Palmer, Wasilla’s city council seats are assigned, with candidates running for specific positions. Voters select one candidate per seat.

This year, voters will choose council members for three-year terms for Seats C and D.

The seats up for election are currently held by Council members Timothy Johnson and Ian Crafton.

Residents who miss the candidate filing deadline can still run as write-in candidates.

How to run for Houston City Council

The filing period for Houston City Council ran from July 1 to 15, following changes to election rules approved by the City Council last year.

Registered Houston voters who have lived in city limits for at least one full year before Election Day and missed the filing deadline can still run as write-in candidates.

Like Wasilla, Houston’s City Council operates with assigned seats, with candidates running for specific positions. Voters select one candidate per seat.

Two Houston City Council seats are up for election this year. A candidate list has not yet been released.

-- Contact Amy Bushatz at contact@matsusentinel.com