Palmer swears in Bruce Brown after election with under 5% turnout

The Palmer City Council certified the results of its Oct. 6 election Monday and swore in its newest member, Bruce Brown, after a vote in which fewer than 5% of registered voters cast ballots.

Brown won a one-year seat, beating Aundra "Omega" Jackson 121 to 92, according to the city's canvass results. Penny Mosher and Sherry Carrington ran unopposed for the two three-year seats and were also sworn in. Brown's term runs through October 2027, and Mosher's and Carrington's through October 2029.

Turnout was 4.57%, or 234 ballots from 5,118 registered voters, down from 12.28% last year. Mayor Jim Cooper said he was disappointed and didn't think the city had seen turnout that low in a long time. He noted that last year's figure "still beat Wasilla."

After the swearing-in, the council unanimously elected Alison Collins deputy mayor. Carrington nominated Collins, who succeeds John Alcantra after his year in the role. The council also chose Amanda Graham, who was absent, as alternate deputy mayor.

Before the council certified the results, City Clerk Benji Johnson reported a problem at the precinct in the Mat-Su Borough Assembly Chambers. On election morning, the ballot-counting machine wouldn't accept its password. The polls opened on time, and voters put three ballots in the ballot box's emergency slot until Johnson brought over a backup machine. Election officials ran those ballots after the polls closed. The canvass board found the problem "didn't adversely affect the outcome of the election," Johnson said.

The meeting was also a goodbye for Rick Allen, who served about 10 months on the council and wasn't on the ballot this fall. Allen said he had come only to see his friend Bruce sworn in and hadn't expected to speak. He thanked the council and called its members "people of principle."

Cooper said he expects to see Allen's name on a candidate list next October. Allen didn't commit, telling the mayor they would see what the future holds.

Brown thanked the council for welcoming him and said he hopes to make a contribution as best he can.