Alaska voters rejected a ballot measure on the Nov. 3 election that would have repealed the state’s open primaries and ranked choice voting for general elections.
The Story
Alaska voters rejected a ballot measure aimed at overturning the state’s open primaries and ranked choice voting system in general elections.
The measure was decided as part of the Nov. 3 election and was the second time in two years that voters rejected attempts to revert to partisan primaries and general elections in which just one candidate is selected.
The ballot initiative would also have repealed some campaign disclosure rules.
Voters in 2020 narrowly approved the current system, which was used for the first time in 2022.
Supporters of open primaries and ranked choice voting say the approach gives voters more options and pushes candidates to build broader coalitions.
They also argue it has had a moderating effect on the state Legislature, which has been governed in bipartisan coalitions in recent years.
Opponents, including President Donald Trump, have said the system is confusing and Trump has criticized it for years.
Elon Musk was among the donors backing the effort to repeal the system.
Ruth Hall, deputy campaign manager for the successful No on 2 campaign, said in a statement that the result was decisive.
Hall said, “When Alaskans say we want the freedom to choose the best person for the job, regardless of party affiliation, and the right to know who is spending in our elections, we mean it.”
Under open primaries, all candidates in a race appear together on the ballot, and the top four vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to a ranked vote general election.
The major parties and campaigns have sometimes pressured lower-placing candidates in the primary to drop out before the general election to clear a path for candidates with higher profiles.
← More stories