Sitka voters to decide on cruise limits in special election

Sitka voters will weigh in on a cruise ship limit proposal in a special election this spring, now that enough signatures have been gathered to place the measure on the ballot.

If passed, the ordinance would establish a yearly cap of 300,000 cruise visitors, restrict daily arrivals to 4,500 passengers, and limit port visits to six days a week. It would also introduce a permit system for cruise ships, requiring the city to oversee the process and issue fines for noncompliance.

Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson confirmed Thursday that her office had certified the petition. According to the city charter, once the required number of valid signatures is collected, the city must hold a special election within a 40 to 90-day window.

“As of yesterday, the countdown begins,” Peterson said. “They needed at least 613 valid signatures, and the petitioners surpassed that number.”

The election will be conducted similarly to a regular city election, with both of Sitka’s precincts voting at Harrigan Centennial Hall and early voting and absentee options available.

Peterson has provisionally scheduled the special election for Friday, May 30, pending approval by the Sitka Assembly. She noted that the date meets legal requirements and was chosen in coordination with hall staff to avoid scheduling conflicts, as Harrigan Centennial Hall also serves as a cruise passenger arrival point during the summer season.

“I considered voter accessibility and familiarity — Sitka residents are used to voting at Harrigan Centennial Hall,” she said.

On Friday, the petition organizers released a statement expressing uncertainty over whether the proposed May 30 election date fully complies with the city charter, stating they’re “seeking clarification” on the city’s interpretation.

The initiative is the fourth cruise-related measure introduced by local group Small Town SOUL since December. The group’s three previous proposals did not pass the city’s legal review.

Cruise passenger numbers have reached new highs in Sitka over the past three years. While this growth has spurred economic gains — including rising sales tax revenue and a surge in local business activity — it’s also triggered concerns about overcrowding, environmental stress, and public safety.

In opposition to the proposed limits, a pro-tourism group called Safeguard Sitka’s Future was formed. The group launched a “Decline to Sign” campaign and held informational meetings during the petition phase.

Up until now, these advocacy groups haven’t had to register with state officials. But now that the special election is confirmed, any group involved in campaigning must register with the Alaska Public Offices Commission.

The Sitka Assembly is set to hold a special meeting on Tuesday, March 18 to decide whether to formally approve the ordinance for the ballot. The process requires two readings before moving forward.

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