Juneau voters favor seasonal sales tax, reject higher property-tax cap in unofficial results

By SUZANNE DOWNING

Oct. 11, 2026 – Juneau voters backed a seasonal sales tax and overwhelmingly supporting renewal of an existing sales tax, while rejecting a proposal to raise the city’s property-tax cap, according to unofficial results released Friday, Oct. 9.

The updated count from the Oct. 6 municipal election includes 9,717 ballots out of 27,768 registered voters, putting turnout at 34.99%, or slightly more than one-third.

City election officials said the tally represents approximately 95% of the expected total ballot count. Ballot processing continues, with certification scheduled for Oct. 20 following review by the Canvass Review Board.

Sales taxes favored; property-tax cap increase trails

Proposition A, extending Juneau’s temporary 3% sales tax for five years, received 7,580 yes votes, or 79.90%, compared with 1,907 no votes, or 20.10%.

The renewal would continue the existing tax through June 30, 2032. That tax is part of Juneau’s current combined 5% sales-tax rate.

Proposition C, adding a 1% seasonal sales tax, also held a substantial lead, with 5,503 votes in favor, or 56.90%, and 4,168 opposed, or 43.10%.

The additional tax would apply from April 1 through Sept. 30 each year, beginning in 2027, raising the combined sales-tax rate to 6% during those months. It would apply to taxable purchases by residents and visitors alike. Existing food and utility exemptions would remain.

Meanwhile, Proposition B was trailing. The proposal to raise the property-tax cap received 4,543 yes votes, or 47.21%, while 5,080 voters, or 52.79%, voted no.

The measure would reverse voters’ October 2025 decision to lower the cap to 9 mills, restoring a ceiling of 12 mills, excluding debt service. It would authorize a higher maximum rate; the Assembly would still set the actual rate annually.

Kelly, Cosgrove and Niven lead Assembly races

Paul Roy Kelly held an unstoppable lead for the Assembly’s areawide seat; it will be his second term:

Mila Cosgrove, the only candidate listed on the ballot for Assembly District 1, received 6,737 votes. The tally also listed 479 unresolved write-in votes.

In the four-way District 2 contest, Joyce M. Niven led Malachi Thorington by 586 votes; incumbent Christine Woll is departing:

Noon and Cioni-Haywood lead school board contest

With two Board of Education seats available, David Noon and Britteny Cioni-Haywood held the top positions.

Noon received 5,596 votes, Cioni-Haywood received 5,063, and Christine Johnson received 3,319.

All candidate and proposition totals remain unofficial pending completion of the count and certification.