{"id":2330792,"date":"2024-08-26T04:11:02","date_gmt":"2024-08-26T08:11:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/alaskans-could-repeal-ranked-choice-voting-in-november-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-26T04:13:27","modified_gmt":"2024-08-26T08:13:27","slug":"alaskans-could-repeal-ranked-choice-voting-in-november-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/alaskans-could-repeal-ranked-choice-voting-in-november-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Alaskans could repeal ranked choice voting in November &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Falaskans-could-repeal-ranked-choice-voting-in-november-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2330792&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>In Alaska, a ballot measure \u2064set for November 2024 may lead to the repeal of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/georgia-house-passes-omnibus-election-reform-bill\/\" title=\"Georgia House Passes Omnibus Election Reform Bill\">ranked choice voting<\/a>, which was\u200c established by a\u2062 narrow \u2064victory in 2020. This system allows voters to \u200brank \u200bcandidates\u200b by preference, with the\u200b potential for reallocating votes until a candidate achieves a majority. Critics argue that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ranked-choice-voting-complicates-elections-and-disenfranchises-voters-critics-say\/\" title=\"Critics argue that Ranked Choice Voting complicates elections and undermines voter participation.\">ranked choice voting complicates<\/a> the electoral process, leading to confusion and longer voting times, and contend that it undermines transparency. A leading opposition group, Stop RCV, has highlighted these concerns, with its supporters citing difficulties in understanding \u200cand completing the voting process. Meanwhile, proponents, including Alaskans \u200cfor Better\u2062 Elections, defend the system\u2063 as\u2062 empowering for voters, particularly \u200cthose not affiliated with\u200b a political\u200b party, suggesting it fosters more democratic engagement. The discussion\u200c reflects a broader\u200c trend as ranked choice voting becomes more prominent\u2063 in U.S. elections, though its future in \u200bAlaska remains uncertain.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Alaskans could repeal ranked choice voting in November<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1736971\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/alaska\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Alaska\">Alaska<\/a> is one of a few states that has ranked choice voting as part of its elections, but a ballot measure in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2024-elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"November\">November<\/a> could change that.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>In 2020, voters narrowly passed Ballot Measure 2, which instituted a nonpartisan top-four primary and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/alaska-votes-using-ranked-choice-voting\/\" title=\"Alaska votes using ranked choice voting\">ranked choice general election<\/a>, but in 2024 a different Ballot Measure 2 would essentially repeal the 2020 Ballot Measure 2, by reverting the state back to a party primary process and normal general election.<\/p>\n<p>The current system allows voters to cast their ballots in order of preference between the candidates. If a candidate fails to receive 50% on the first ballot, then the voters from the candidate with the least votes that round are reallocated to their next preference on their ballot, until one candidate has received 50%. If a voter only picks one candidate, then their vote is not reallocated if that candidate is eliminated.<\/p>\n<p>Ranked choice voting has seen an uptick in adoption in recent years, but Alaska&rsquo;s use of the system has been one of the most visible uses of it in consequential elections. <\/p>\n<p>The system was first used in the state for the 2022 elections, leading to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Democrat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Democrat<\/a> Mary Peltola flipping the longtime GOP-held at-large House seat for the state. The result came from two Republicans splitting the vote, and Republican Sarah Palin was unable to acquire enough voters from fellow Republican Nick Begich&rsquo;s voters in the final round.<\/p>\n<p>The result, which saw 49.07% of voters cast their ballot for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Republican\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Republican<\/a> candidates compared to the 48.77% for Peltola, the lone Democrat, increased criticism of the voting system. Opponents of ranked choice voting have claimed that it is confusing process and pressures voters to rank candidates they would not typically vote for.<\/p>\n<p>One of the leading groups arguing against ranked choice voting is <a href=\"https:\/\/stoprcv.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Stop RCV<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The group warns that rank choice voting makes elections harder for voters and election administrators, along with hurting transparency and accountability with elections.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;An RCV ballot is also longer and takes more time for voters to complete. This means more delays and longer lines at polling places. It also creates many new opportunities to make a mistake, increasing the chances that a voter&rsquo;s intent is not correctly recorded or that ballots are disqualified and discarded,&rdquo; the group warns on its website.<\/p>\n<p>With Alaska, Jason Snead, executive director of the Honest Elections Project, which is part of the Stop RCV coalition, finds it unsurprising there is a push to reverse the 2020 change to ranked choice voting.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;RCV takes elections in the wrong direction, and so it&rsquo;s no surprise that after using it once, Alaskans are pushing to get rid of it. There&rsquo;s a long history of voters trying and rejecting RCV,&rdquo; Snead <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Stop_RCV\/status\/1824186087193055450\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"said\">said<\/a> in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>Proponents of ranked choice voting still maintain that the system puts power back in voters&rsquo; hands, by noting that most voters are not registered to a party. The main group backing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/adams-remains-frontrunner-in-wide-open-race-to-be-nycs-next-mayor-poll-shows\/\" title=\"Adams Remains Frontrunner In Wide-Open Race To Be NYC\u2019s Next Mayor, Poll Shows\">ranked choice voting system<\/a> has been Alaskans for Better Elections.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Our new voting system gives every Alaskan the freedom to vote for the any candidate they want. These reforms help unrig our political system and put power and freedom back in the hands of the voters,&rdquo; the group <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alaskansforbetterelections.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"claims\">claims<\/a> on its website.<\/p>\n<p>After the first use of ranked choice voting in an election, with the 2022 special election for the state&rsquo;s ranked choice voting, the group pointed to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alaskansforbetterelections.com\/polling-shows-alaskan-voters-understand-ranked-choice-voting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"poll\">poll<\/a> conducted at the time which showed 85% of voters said the process was simple.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Alaska Supreme Court cleared the way for the 2024 Ballot Measure 2 to appear before voters, upholding a lower court ruling that allows it to stay on the ballot.<\/p>\n<p>When Alaska voters go to the polls on Nov. 5 to decide on the fate of ranked choice voting, the hotly contested House race may be less dividing than in 2022. Third-place primary finisher Republican Nancy Dahlstrom announced she would drop out of the general election, allowing for a more head-to-head matchup between Peltola, the Democrat, and Begich, the Republican.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1736971\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1736971\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Alaskans may have the opportunity to eliminate ranked choice voting in November. Currently, Alaska is one of the few states utilizing ranked choice voting in its elections, but a proposed ballot measure could alter this. In 2020, voters narrowly approved Ballot Measure 2, which established a nonpartisan top-four primary and a ranked choice general election. However, in 2024, another Ballot Measure 2 could effectively repeal the previous measure by reverting to a traditional party primary system and standard general election format. The existing system allows voters to rank candidates based on their preferences; if no candidate receives over 50% of votes initially, those from the least popular candidate are redistributed according to voters&#8217; next choices until one candidate achieves majority support. If a voter selects only one candidate and that individual is eliminated, their vote does not get transferred.<\/p>\n<p>Ranked choice voting has gained traction recently, with Alaska&#8217;s implementation being particularly notable during significant elections. It was first used in the state during the 2022 elections when Democrat Mary Peltola won a historically Republican House seat after two Republicans split the vote; Sarah Palin failed to attract enough support from fellow Republican Nick Begich&#8217;s base in subsequent rounds. This outcome\u2014where Republican candidates garnered 49.07% of votes compared to Peltola\u2019s 48.77%\u2014sparked further criticism of ranked choice voting.<\/p>\n<p>Critics argue that this method can be confusing for voters and may compel them to rank candidates they wouldn&#8217;t normally choose. One prominent opposition group is Stop RCV (Ranked Choice Voting), which contends that it complicates elections for both voters and administrators while diminishing transparency and accountability. They assert that RCV ballots are longer and require more time to complete, leading to delays at polling places and increasing opportunities for errors or disqualified ballots.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Snead from the Honest Elections Project\u2014a member of Stop RCV\u2014expresses little surprise at Alaskans&#8217; desire to revert back after experiencing ranked choice voting once: &#8220;RCV takes elections in the wrong direction&#8230;there\u2019s a long history of voters trying and rejecting RCV,&#8221; he stated.<\/p>\n<p>Supporters of ranked choice voting argue it empowers voters since many are not affiliated with any political party. The main advocacy group for this system is Alaskans for Better Elections, which claims that their reforms restore power back into citizens\u2019 hands by allowing them greater freedom in selecting candidates without party constraints.<\/p>\n<p>Following its initial use during an election\u2014the special election held under this new system\u2014the group referenced polling data indicating that 85% of participants found it straightforward.<\/p>\n<p>The Alaska Supreme Court has allowed the upcoming Ballot Measure 2 for consideration by voters after upholding an earlier court decision regarding its placement on the ballot. When Alaskans head to polls on November 5th regarding ranked choice voting&#8217;s future, they might see less division than during previous contests due partly to Republican Nancy Dahlstrom withdrawing from contention following her third-place finish in primaries; thus setting up a more direct competition between Democrat Peltola and Republican Begich<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2638,"featured_media":2330793,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/election-rank-choice-voting-alaska.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[8320,3728,36265,12984,32076],"class_list":["post-2330792","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-alaska","tag-election","tag-ranked-choice-voting","tag-repeal","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/election-rank-choice-voting-alaska.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2330792","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2638"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2330792"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2330792\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2330793"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2330792"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2330792"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2330792"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}