Alaskans Narrowly Reject Ranked Choice Voting Repeal in Early Election Returns
With 98% of precincts reporting, “No” on Ballot Measure 2 is leading with nearly 52% of the vote. Alaskans are opting to preserve the ranked-choice voting system, open primaries, and specific campaign finance rules designed to unmask political donors.
In 2024, when Alaskans faced a similar ballot question, “Yes” led on Election Night. But late-counted ballots pushed “No” above 50% and led the ballot measure to fail by just 743 votes, preserving ranked choice voting in Alaska.
Arguments Fueling the Repeal Effort
Proponents of the ballot measure, backed primarily by Republicans, argue that the current voting system is confusing for voters and prone to gaming by candidates and political operatives. To illustrate their point, critics point to things like Democrat Tom Begich’s decision to drop out of the governor’s race despite placing second in the primary, and to the advancement of longshot candidates to the general election, like a New York prisoner and a Petersburg man who shares incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan’s first and last names.
Proponents and opponents alike say the open primary also reduces the influence of political partisans, making it harder for hardcore conservatives or liberals to defeat more moderate opponents — such as Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski — in primaries.
Millions in Outside Spending Clash Over Reform
Campaigns for and against the ballot measure brought in millions from out-of-state megadonors. Elon Musk donated $1.5 million to the Aurora Action Network, which was the predominant funder of Repeal Now, the group backing the ballot initiative. Other major donors included Jeff Yass, Timothy Mellon and Hilcorp founder Jeffery Hildebrand. Repeal Now reported in late October it had raised nearly $2.6 million.
Opponents of the ballot measure raised $10.4 million as of late October. Key backers include billionaire former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, election reform advocate Kathryn Murdoch and Elon Musk’s brother, Kimbal Musk.
Supporters of ranked choice voting and open primaries argue that the system incentivizes cooperation and moderation and reduces the spoiler effect that minor candidates can play in a traditional, single-choice race. Proponents say the "dark money" rules that Ballot Measure 2 would repeal, some of which seek to identify the true sources of large campaign contributions, give Alaskans more insight into the forces shaping politics in the state.
Ballot Measure 3 Passing
Early results show Alaskans approving Ballot Measure 3 by a wide margin, which specifies that “only” U.S. citizens are allowed to vote in elections in the state. The ballot measure would have no practical effect — citizenship is already a requirement to vote in Alaska.
