Juneau early vote results 'encouraging' for cruise industry

As of Tuesday night, the city's election summary showed 3,873 against banning cruise calls on Saturdays (and July 4) and 2,586 in favor.

The 6,525 ballots turned in represent 23.21% of the eligible voters.

The Juneau Empire compared that with 18.72% of initial results in last year's election when the final turnout was 33.98%, adding that 'None of the results for candidates and the lone ballot measure changed significantly between the initial and final vote.'

'Encouraging' but ...

Cruise industry sources called the early indications 'encouraging.'

But an insider cautioned that even if the proposition is defeated, it shouldn't be viewed as a 'victory' for cruising because 'bridges need to be built' with thousands in the community who supported ship-free Saturdays.

And, regardless of the results, he said industry will continue its outreach and efforts to be a good partner in Juneau.

In June, an agreement was reached to cap lower berths at 12,000 on Saturdays, with a limit of 16,000 lower berths on other days.