A Sitka Assembly seat just opened — and the window's short

There's a fast-closing opportunity for any Sitkan who's ever thought about serving their town: an Assembly seat just opened up, and the window to grab it is short.

The seat came open Tuesday when Assembly member Tim Pike stepped down, ending a term that ran from 2022 to 2026. Rather than leave it empty until the fall election, the Assembly plans to appoint someone to fill it at its July 14 meeting — but applications close first, at noon July 8, so anyone interested has only a few days to act. To qualify, you need to be a registered Sitka voter who's lived in town at least a year, and file a short packet with the Municipal Clerk.

The catch worth knowing: whoever gets appointed only holds the seat until the October 6 election, when voters choose the permanent occupant. So the appointment is essentially a head start — a few months in the seat before facing the ballot, if the appointee decides to run. That same October election will also fill the mayor's seat, other Assembly seats, and School Board positions, with candidate packets available starting July 20 for anyone thinking about a longer run at local office.