On Tuesday, the Anchorage Assembly voted to fill two seats soon to be vacant with members Forrest Dunbar and Jamie Allard being elected to the Alaska Legislature.
Dunbar will vacate his East Anchorage seat Jan. 3 and Allard will leave her Eagle River seat on Jan. 17.
The Assembly could leave the seats vacant until the April 4 election, hold a special election or appoint new members to the seat until the April election. A special election would be an extra expense on the city.
Dunbar was reelected this year, so whomever voters approve for his seat in April will serve the remaining two years on his term. Since Allard was up for reelection in 2023, the candidate who wins that seat will hold it for a full three-year term.
Both of the seats will be advertised for short-term appointment on the municipal website for five days, followed by an interview during a special public meeting. The Assembly will then vote on who to appoint to the position until regular elections are held.
Applications for Dunbar’s Assembly seat will be accepted until 5 p.m. Jan. 4, followed by interviews on Jan. 6. The Assembly will vote on a replacement later that day.
Applications for the Eagle River seat that Allard will be vacating will be accepted until Jan. 17. The Assembly will hold interviews and vote on the replacement two days later.
