MEMORANDUM

KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH

144 N. Binkley Street Tel. (907) 262-8609

Soldotna, Alaska 99669 Fax (907) 262-8686

TO: Ronald Wm. Drathman, Assembly President

        Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Members
FROM: Grace Merkes

DATE: June 4, 1999

SUBJECT: Ordinance 99- 37, allowing candidates to withdraw one day after the close of the filing period.

This ordinance would allow candidates to withdraw their names from the ballot until 4:30 p.m. the day after the filing period closes. The state allows candidates to withdraw their names after the filing period closes. A candidate needs an opportunity to withdraw as circumstances may change after the initial filing. Allowing this would reduce any extra borough expense associated with leaving the name on the ballot. Should an unwilling elected candidate decline the office, the borough would incur additional expense in appointing a replacement. Finally, allowing for withdrawal would reduce voter confusion.