a signPetitioners gathering signatures to repeal Juneau’s section by-mail voting method cod signatures adjacent Costco connected Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (Clarise Larson/KTOO)

An effort to repeal an ordinance that made by-mail voting nan default successful Juneau has grounded to stitchery capable signatures to get connected nan section ballot. 

The group of residents down nan repeal needed to get astir 2,400 signatures to put nan mobility to voters this October. During nan first 30-day signature gathering period, they gathered little than 1,000.

The group tried to dress up nan shortfall during an further 10-day postulation period, mounting up tables astir Juneau pinch signs and accusation astir their cause. Multiple petitioners declined to beryllium interviewed by KTOO.

They still fell hundreds of signatures short.

According to documents submitted to nan metropolis clerk’s office, nan repeal effort took purpose astatine an ordinance the Assembly adopted past year making by-mail voting nan default for section elections.

Only 5 residents said against nan thought astatine nan gathering erstwhile nan ordinance passed. They cited elector fraud and questioned whether it would really amended elector turnout. Widespread elector fraud has been widely debunked by nationalist experts. 

By-mail voting has been utilized by nan City and Borough of Juneau for nan past 4 elections, since nan commencement of nan COVID-19 pandemic. In-person voting is still disposable astatine metropolis ballot centers.

Even if nan ordinance had been repealed, nan Assembly still could person directed nan metropolis to behaviour a by-mail election. 

Ballots will beryllium mailed to registered voters starting connected Sept. 12 and must beryllium postmarked aliases returned by Oct. 1.