Voters will see three contested races on the Oct. 6 municipal election ballot. Multiple candidates filed for the two open seats on the borough assembly, for the one open seat on the school board and for one of the port commission races.

Mayor Patty Gilbert is running unopposed for a third two-year term as mayor, and Port Commissioner Donald “DJ” McConachie Jr. is running unopposed for a two-year term.

DJ McConachie has served on the port commission since June, when he was named by the assembly to serve out the year for John Yeager, who left the commission to take a seat on the assembly.

 In the contested races, four candidates are running for two three-year terms on the assembly. The top two vote-getters Oct. 6 will win the seats.

Yeager is seeking to remain on the assembly, as is incumbent Phillip Mach, who was elected to a one-year term in 2025. Joining them on the ballot are challengers S.R. “Reme” Privett III and LaDonna Botsford, both making their first run for assembly.

It is a three-person race for the one three-year school board term on the ballot. Incumbent John DeRuyter is running for a second term, with challengers Franki Gablehouse and Jayme Howell going for the seat.

And while McConachie is unopposed in his run for a two-year port commission seat, there are two candidates for the three-year commission term on the ballot: Incumbent Antonio Silva, who was elected last October to a one-year term, and Mechel Lynn Meek.

The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Nolan Center.

Voters must be registered with a Wrangell address to cast a ballot in the municipal election. Voters who are registered under a different address in Alaska can change their address through Sept. 5 to qualify for the Wrangell election. Anyone unsure of their registration can check with the borough clerk at City Hall or go to the state Division of Elections website at myvoterportal.alaska.gov.

 Absentee voting will begin on Monday, Sept. 21, and will be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at City Hall, through 4 p.m. on Oct. 5, the day before the election.

Anyone who is unable to vote absentee in person can apply at the borough clerk’s office to have their ballot mailed, emailed or faxed to them.

The Sentinel will reach out to candidates this week to set up interviews to publish in the paper before the election.