The City of Emmonak has deemed part of the results from its August 9th special election as invalid. Two ballot measures passed during this special election. One increased the city sales tax by 1%, which will take effect on September 1st, and the second measure was meant to change Emmonak’s local option law that currently prohibits the sale, importation, and possession of alcoholic beverages.
133 votes were cast in favor of changing the local option law to allow the City to sell alcoholic beverages under a liquor store license. Even though fewer votes were opposed to changing the law — 122 votes were cast against — it was found that 34 voters were ineligible to vote. The Canvas Committee was unable to identify or remove these 34 votes from the final ballot count.
A press release from the City of Emmonak states the 34 questioned ballots “could have changed the outcome of the election, so the City Council had no choice but to deem the election invalid.”
Eligible voters in Emmonak will have another opportunity to change the local option law through a scheduled election on October 4th.
