Early results show voters in the city of Utqiagvik rejecting a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.
An ordinance on the city’s ballot would have instituted a one-cent per ounce tax on the sales of sodas, energy drinks and other sugary drinks.
The tax sought to discourage the consumption of these drinks, citing high levels of obesity, diabetes and tooth decay among rural Alaskans, particularly Alaska Natives.
Voters opposed the tax almost four-to-one in unofficial results of Tuesday’s municipal election.
Wesley Early covers Anchorage life and city politics for Alaska Public Media. Reach him at wearly@alaskapublic.org and follow him on X at @wesley_early. Read more about Wesley here.
