Today, Unalaskans hit the polls to vote in the local election.

There’s only one contested race this year. Incumbent Katherine McGlashan and former council member Zoya Johnson are competing for city council seat E. Meanwhile, Dennis Robinson is running for seat B with no opponent. School board members Daniel Masoni and Sonia Handforth-Kome also face no competition.

Amy Vanostenbridge stopped by city hall to vote this morning. She says that there are a few factors she was weighing while she cast her ballot.

“Energy out here, the high utilities, housing -- those are the biggest issues for me,” says Vanostenbridge.

But with no major initiatives, voting mostly comes down to civic duty for residents like Jaime Simbagon, who works at Unisea.

“Being an Alaska resident and U.S. citizen, it is our responsibility to render our vote for the people who really need to serve,” says Simbagon.

Eric Graham feels the same way.

“I vote in all of the elections. Just to be able to go out and exercise my right to vote is what’s important to me,” says Graham.

Plus, Graham adds, there’s another big incentive for voting every year.

“People who don’t vote don’t have as much of a right to complain afterward,” he laughs.

The polls are open at city hall today through 8pm tonight.