Municipal candidate filing period has opened

By Diana Haecker

Starting August 8, the filing period has opened for candidates running for the upcoming October municipal, utility and school board elections. On the ballot in Nome is the office for Mayor, a two-year term, currently held by John K. Handeland.
Two Nome Common Council seats are up for election: Seat E, currently held by Cameron Piscoya, and Seat F held by longtime council member Mark Johnson.
All council seats are for a three-year term.
Two seats on the board of the Nome Joint Utilities System are up for election as well. Seat A, a two-year term, is currently held by Pat Knodel; and Seat D, held by Larry Pederson, a three-year term.
On the ballot will be also two seats on the school board, both three-year terms. Seat A is currently held by Darlene Trigg and Seat E is held by Marjorie Kunaq Tahbone.
This year, a ballot proposition is before the voters, asking them to approve a City of Nome sales tax increase from 5 percent to 6 percent.
Regionwide, Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation is holding their elections, in conjunction with municipal elections. This year representatives for Gambell, Golovin, Koyuk, Stebbins and Wales are elected. The period to file for candidacy starts on August 15 and ends at 3 p.m. on August 29.
The Regional Educational Attendance Area Elections, selecting the boards for school districts, including the Bering Strait School District, was not advertised in this paper of record. The filing deadline closed on August 1, 2025. The candidate withdrawal deadline is on Wednesday, August 20.
For the Bering Strait School District, Section I, Seat A, a three year term,  is up for election. Listed on the Division of Election’s website as a certified candidate is incumbent Anni Weyiouanna of Shishmaref. Section I includes Brevig Mission, Diomede, Teller, Shishmaref and Wales.
For Section III, Seat E, a three year term, two candidates are listed as certified: Incumbent Silas Paniptchuk of Shaktoolik and Fred Ivanoff of Unalakleet.
Section III includes Koyuk, Shaktoolik and Unalakleet.
No candidate is listed for Section V, Seat I. The division says that no candidates have filed for this seat by filing deadline on August 1 and that this seat will not be on the ballot.
Section V, Seat J, a one year term, sees one certified candidate, incumbent Muffy Iya of Savoonga. Section V includes Gambell and Savoonga.