by Greg Lincoln
The Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA) Election took place on October 1st, 2024. REAA elections are used to determine who will serve on local district school boards and are held annually on the first Tuesday in October. REAAs are an educational area that were established in an unorganized borough. REAA school board elections are administered by the Alaska Division of Elections.
There was a very close race in REAA 3, Seat G between candidates Frederick P. Beans of Mt. Village and Susie V. Makaily of Pilot Station. Beans won with 250 votes, Makaily had 249.
And also in REAA 23, Seat F. Candidates Ivan M. Ivan and Mike Williams R., both of Akiak had only 5 votes separating them. Ivan had 88 and Williams 83.
REAA 22, Seat C was also close. Jeremy P. Tuluk of Chevak had 46 votes and Liana K. Pingayak had 40.
There were also 2 ties in this year’s REAA elections. REAA 13 for Fort Yukon in the Yukon Flats School District had a tie between candidates Mary R. Gamboa and Shayna M. Tritt. Each had 3 votes. A recount was conducted and the winner drawn by lot was Shayna M. Tritt.
The other tie was local, right here in REAA 23 for Seat B between Robert M. Charles and Julia M. George of Akiachak. Both had 85 votes. After recounting the votes, the winner drawn by lot was Julia M. George.
So it is good to vote, your vote could be the deciding factor in the results of an election. Below are the results for the REAAs 1-5, and 22-23.
REAA 02
Bering Strait School District
Section IV – Seat H
Elachik, Richard J. Sr.* St. Michael, 80
Write-ins, 8
REAA 03
Lower Yukon School District
Section II – Seat D
Pete, Darlene M. Nunam Iqua, 218
Manumik, Daryl X. Nunam Iqua, 155
Ulak, Caroline A.* Scammon Bay, 280
Write-ins, 13
Section III – Seat G
Lee, Joyce A. “Brown” Mt. Village, 154
Makaily, Susie V.* Pilot Station, 249
Beans, Frederick P. Mt. Village, 250
Write-ins, 16
Section III – Seat H
Brown, Brenda A.* Mt. Village, 292
Lamont, Fred P. Sr. Mt. Village, 354
Write-ins, 18
REAA 04
Lower Kuskokwim School District
Section I – Seat A
Albert, Felix E.* Tununak, 112
Anthony, Katie Nightmute, 80
Write-ins, 0
Section II – Seat C
Active, Oscar W. Sr.* Kongiganak, 281
Write-ins, 21
Section IV – Seat F
Jones, Rodney “Mark” Bethel, 106
Cedars, Catherine J.* Bethel, 214
Write-ins, 4
Section IV – Seat G
Husa, Michael D.* Bethel, 309
Write-ins, 9
REAA 05
Kuspuk School District
Section I – Seat A
No candidates
Section I – Seat C
No candidates
Section II – Seat E
Hoeldt, Susan Aniak, 95
Write-ins, 11
Section II – Seat F
Donkersloot, Rachel Aniak, 90
Write-ins, 9
Section III – Seat G
Smith, Zac A.* Sleetmute, 11
Write-ins, 0
REAA 11
Iditarod School District
Section I – Seat A
Short, Ann E.* Grayling, 58
Write-ins, 13
Section I – Seat C
Walker, Robert A. Anvik, 39
Chase, Kenneth W. “Ken”* Anvik, 27
Write-ins, 7
Section II – Seat E
Heath, Douglas E. Takotna, 36
Write-ins, 4
Section III – Seat F
Dale, Alice M., McGrath 48
Write-ins, 6
REAA 22
Kashunamiut School District
Section I – Seat C
Tuluk, Jeremy P.* Chevak, 46
Pingayak, Liana K. Chevak, 40
Write-in, 1
Section I – Seat D
Slats, Gregory E. Chevak, 25
Charles, Andrew A., 24
Chayalkun, Skye-Michael Chevak, 38
Write-ins, 0
Section I – Seat E
Paniyak, Clifford T. Chevak, 84
Write-ins, 3
REAA 23
Yupiit School District
Section I – Seat A
Kasayulie Alexie, Melanie D. Akiachak, 167
Write-ins, 1
Section I – Seat B
George, Julia M. Akiachak, 85
Charles, Robert M.*, 85
Write-ins, 0
Winner drawn by lot is Julia M. George
Section II – Seat D
Gregory, Peter A. Tuluksak, 158
Write-ins, 4
Section II – Seat E
Peter, Moses K.* Tuluksak, 156
Write-ins, 2
Section III – Seat F
Ivan, Ivan M.* Akiak, 88
Williams, Mike Sr. Akiak, 83
Write-ins, 1
*Denotes an incumbent.
Up next is the General Election on Tuesday, November 5th.