Anchorage Assembly meets six finalists for youth representative seat

Six Anchorage-area high school students sat with the Anchorage Assembly on Friday as finalists for the body's youth representative seats, positions that carry a non-binding preferential vote on most Assembly business during the school year.

The Assembly received 13 applications this year. Three Assembly members reviewed them and narrowed the field to six candidates from five Anchorage-area high schools.

The pick belongs to the Assembly Chair, not the full body. Anna Brawley holds that seat. "The selection responsibility ultimately falls to the Chair, so this is not a body vote or decision technically," the member leading the worksession said, adding that Legislative Services staff will compile member comments to inform the decision. The Assembly expects to select more than one student.

Selected youth representatives will be seated beginning with the Assembly's first September meeting, on September 1, and serve through the end of April. They receive the same meeting materials as members and cast a yes or no preferential vote on each item, with exceptions for alcohol and marijuana matters. Legislative Services and the Clerk's Office provide training.

The Assembly is also looking for members willing to mentor the selected students. The seat has existed since 2017.