The high stakes Palmer recall vote is officially set for Tuesday, but as of the April 16 tally, 318 residents had already swung by City Hall or mailed in their ballots early. That’s nearly half the turnout from the last regular election and the official April 19 election day hasn’t even arrived.
According to state voter rolls, Palmer has 4,920 registered voters within the city limits, which means there are many more potential ballots that could be cast over the next few days.
The ballot asks residents whether they think three city council members should be recalled from office.
The recall effort was sparked after discovering that Palmer City Council members Sabrena Combs, Brian Daniels and Jill Valerius, along with former Councilwoman Julie Berberich, were all part of a private Facebook group hosted by Mat-Su Moms for Social Justice. The leftist organization advocates for issues such as critical race theory, community oversight of police, city mask mandates, Black Lives Matter protest marches and other pet causes of the far left.
According to the city financed investigation, the council members in question discussed mask mandates and other controversial matters in the private online group. The investigation concluded that the council members’ private discourse in a closed Facebook group was a violation of Alaska’s Open Meetings Act, and a failure to perform their duties of office.
If the current election follows recent turnout trends in Palmer, it will take somewhere between 350 and 400 residents to vote in favor of ousting the three city council members in order for them to be recalled from office.
TAKING ACTION
— The last day of early, in-person voting for the recall election will be on Monday, April 18, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., at City Hall (231 W. Evergreen Ave., Palmer, AK 99645).
— On election day (April 19) in-person polling will occur from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mat Su Borough building (350 East Dahlia Ave, Palmer). Those who live in Precinct 11-070 should go to the Borough Assembly Chambers. Those in Precinct 11-075 can vote in the Mat Su Borough Gym. Palmer residents can click here to see which voter precinct they live in.
— Click here to learn more about the reasons behind the recall effort.
— For additional information about the upcoming recall election, visit the City of Palmer Elections page or call the City Clerk’s Office at (907) 761-1301.
