Have you heard the state is holding hearings on Ballot Measure 1, also known as the Stand For Salmon Initiative? This is an opportunity for Alaskans to hear from each other (that’s you!) and the about why we are voting for the proposal in November. 

Nine public meetings will be held statewide for the ballot initiative ahead of Nov. 6 election. The hearings are open to public comments and will continue the dialogue about the ballot initiative that has received unprecedented support from tens of thousands of Alaskans statewide. These hearings will provide you with the opportunity to speak up about why this initiative is important to you.

Also, these hearings are a good way to learn the difference between the Stand For Salmon citizen group that got the initiative on the ballot and the Stand For Alaska industry group of mining, oil/gas, and other corporations fighting the initiative.

Alaskans are encouraged to weigh in at the following hearings:

• Juneau on Friday, Sept. 7, 9 a.m. – Capitol Committee Rooms 203 and 205, Alaska Capitol Building
• Kotzebue on Mon., Sept. 10, 1:30 p.m. –  Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly Chambers
• Nome on Tues, Sept. 11, 1 p.m. – City Council Chambers
• Anchorage on Tues., Sept. 18, 2 p.m. – Legislative Information Office Auditorium
• Sitka on Fri., Sept. 21, 10 a.m. – Harrigan Centennial Hall
• Fairbanks on Mon., Sept. 24, 2 p.m. – Legislative Information Office
• Bethel on Tues., Sept. 25, 2 p.m. – Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center
• Dillingham on Sat., Sept. 29, 2 p.m. – Bristol Bay Campus
• Statewide teleconference hearing on Sat., Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. – more information to come

This initiative exists because Alaskans are fighting for what we believe in. Salmon are the lifeblood of our state and we all deserve to have a voice in how they are protected.