Mat-Su voters face two tax proposals, Assembly and School Board races now to Nov. 3

By SUZANNE DOWNING

Oct. 20, 2026 – Mat-Su Borough voters will decide whether to approve two new taxes, expand the borough’s road powers, and change School Board terms when they cast ballots Nov. 3, the same day as the state and federal general election.

Four Assembly seats and two School Board seats are also on the borough ballot. Early voting began Oct. 19 and continues through Nov. 2.

Who is running

The borough’s final candidate slate lists these candidates:

Voters choose one candidate in each applicable race. The Assembly seats carry four-year terms.

School Board members McCollum and Larson are seeking reelection. Larson faces former state Rep. Jesse Sumner, while McCollum is the only listed candidate in District 3. Maxwell Sumner and Gamble are also incumbents.

Proposition A: Four-year School Board terms

Proposition A would change School Board terms from three years to four and establish transition terms to align elections with the corresponding Assembly districts.

Under the proposed schedule, School Board Districts 3 and 6 would have two-year transition terms running from 2026 to 2028. Four-year terms for those seats would begin in 2028. A no vote would retain three-year terms.

Proposition B: A 5% alcohol tax

Proposition B would impose a 5% tax on retail alcoholic beverage sales throughout the borough, including Palmer, Wasilla, and Houston. Retailers would collect it beginning April 1, 2027.

The borough estimates revenue of $3 million to $7.5 million. Approval would not directly reduce property taxes.

Proposition C: A sales tax paired with a home exemption

Proposition C combines a 1% areawide sales tax with a $75,000 exemption from the taxable value of qualifying owner-occupied homes.

Borough projections put annual sales-tax revenue at about $21 million and the property-tax revenue reduction at $12 million to $15 million.

The exemption requires an application and cannot be combined with other exemptions. Renters would pay the sales tax without receiving the homeowner exemption. Generally, only the first $1,000 of a transaction would be taxed.

Proposition D: Broader authority for road projects

Proposition D would authorize the borough to acquire public rights-of-way and design and construct roads, streets, sidewalks, and related drainage facilities on an areawide basis.

The measure asks voters to grant authority for transportation work rather than approve a particular construction project.

How to vote

Borough early-voting locations include the borough building in Palmer, Menard Sports Center, Houston City Hall, Talkeetna Library, and Trapper Creek Library. Hours vary by location.

Applications for borough absentee ballots by mail are due Oct. 27. Voters should note that the borough’s application is separate from the state’s absentee-ballot application.

Mailed borough ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within three calendar days afterward. Hand-delivered ballots must reach a borough election official by 8 pm Nov. 3.

Voting details and polling-place resources are available at matsu.gov/elections, or through the borough clerk’s office at 907-861-8683.