The filing period for elected office in the Haines Borough opens Aug. 1, with an Aug. 20 deadline. This year, positions up for election include the Mayor, four school board seats and four on the assembly.

Borough clerk and intern manager Alekka Fullerton said she’s noticed increased interest in running.

“This year, six or seven people have asked me when (the filing period) opens,” Fullerton said. “In the last four years, I’ve probably had one or two, but of course, there are more seats available this year.”

In a normal year, two assembly seats and two school board seats are up for election, with the mayor’s position open every third year. This year, the mayoral race has coincided with the resignation of several elected officials. Assembly members Zephyr Sincerny and Jerry Lapp were appointed to fill vacancies in the past year. As a result, their terms expire this fall.

Several incumbents have decided not to run.

Assembly member Stephanie Scott, who has held public office off and on for the past two decades, said she is not seeking reelection.

“I’m old,” Scott said with a sigh. “I don’t think I’m as useful as I used to be.”

For Scott, the past few years have coincided with a battle with brain cancer. She said she has had more trouble remembering people’s names since surgery.

Others are influenced by the pandemic and time commitment involved in serving.

“My situation has changed from last fall when I was campaigning and appointed. Our family workload increased,” Sincerny said. He was appointed to the assembly last October.

Sincerny said although he has enjoyed serving the community, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in hours worked by his partner, Haines Health Center director Lylith Widmer. This, in turn, has increased Sincerny’s hours caring for the house and their young child.

Sincerny said he plans to remain involved in the community and would consider serving in the future. He offered himself as a resource to anyone who is contemplating a run for assembly this year.

“I would be very happy to talk with anyone who is interested in running for the assembly about my experience and answer questions and such,” he said.

COVID-19 has made some potential challengers think twice about an assembly run.

“I was contemplating a run, but I don’t have the time this year,” said Jojo Goerner, who applied in January to fill the position Lapp was ultimately appointed to. “I know we’re in a place where we need people to step up, but I think people are feeling pretty uncertain about the future. Right now, they’re just trying to survive.”

Assembly member Brenda Josephson and Mayor Jan Hill have said they will run for reelection.

“I’ve enjoyed serving the people the last three years, and during these challenging times, I’d like to continue to serve,” Josephson said.

Lapp, a veteran of Haines public office and the most recent appointment to the assembly, said he is undecided about whether he will run. Lapp began serving this winter after Sean Maidy stepped down.

Anyone who will have been a borough resident for a year or more as of Oct. 6, election day, is eligible to run for public office. Those interested can get their name on the ballot by submitting a declaration of candidacy and nomination petition signed by at least 10 qualified voters. Forms are available online and at the borough’s administration building.

Those who miss the Aug. 20 filing deadline can still run as a write-in candidate. The filing deadline for write-in candidates is five days before the election. A person must submit a letter of intent to the borough clerk by this date to be eligible.

The borough will hold a “pre-candidacy training” Aug. 10 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom to give those considering candidacy a better idea of what to expect from public office.