Ballot Measure 2 divides Alaskans, but not along party lines
Ballot Measure 2, to be voted on in the general election on Nov. 3, is aimed at altering election policies. The ballot measure proposes, “An Act replacing the political party primary with an open primary system and ranked-choice general election, and requiring additional campaign finance disclosures.”
The measure seeks to do away with Alaska’s partisan primary system, replacing it with open top-four primaries for state executive, state legislative and congressional offices. Similarly, the measure seeks to implement ranked-choice voting in general elections for some federal and state offices, including the presidential office. Lastly, Ballot Measure 2 would require individuals and entities that donated over $2,000 in funds that came from donations, contributions, gifts and dues to disclose the original sources of that money.
The motivation for the top-four primary is to have only one ballot for primary elections. This way, Alaskans —especially undeclared and independent voters —would not be forced to choose between ballots. In a top-four primary, all voters appear on the same primary ballot and the four candidates who receive the most votes move on to the general election ballot. Currently, Alaskan voters registered under the Republican party as well as non-partisan and undeclared voters can choose either the Republican or the Democratic ballot during primary elections. Those registered under all other parties, including Libertarian and Alaskan Independence, must take the Democratic ballot. Only Republican candidates appear on the Republican ballot, while the Democratic primary is open to all political affiliations.
Ranked choice voting is a process by which voters rank their top candidates regardless of party affiliation. The winner is the candidate with the most number one rankings. If there is a tie, the candidate who received the fewest first rankings is eliminated. The first place rankings that the candidate received are eliminated, lifting the second-preference choices on those ballots, which then go to the candidates still in the race. Ballots are tallied again to determine if there is a majority. If not, the process is repeated until eventually a winner is declared.
Should the measure pass, Alaska would join Maine as one of two states to implement ranked choice voting.
Ballot Measure 2 has been divisive among Alaskans but, interestingly enough, the division is not along party lines. For example, former Republican Governor Sean Parnell and former Democratic U.S. Senator for Alaska Mark Begich cowrote an op-ed against the measure. However, Begich’s brother, Alaska Senator Tom Begich (D-Anchorage), is an official sponsor of the measure. Supporters of the measure believe that ranked choice voting and open primaries will allow Alaskans to vote for the candidate rather than the party, thus giving third-party candidates a better shot. Opponents, on the other hand, think that it will complicate elections and discourage voter turnout, citing the several cities and one state (North Carolina) that implemented and then repealed rankedchoice voting.
The bipartisan campaign Alaskans for Better Elections is the sponsor of Ballot Measure 2. Proponents of the initiative hope to encourage bipartisan cooperation as well as transparency of campaign donations. According to a statement from the campaign, Ballot Measure 2, “ends the process of voting for the lesser of two evils by ensuring we have more and better choices in each election, and takes power away from special interests by giving it back to regular Alaskans, where it belongs.” Increasing voter choice is important for Alaska, because the state has a high percentage of independent and undeclared voters; over 60 percent of Alaskan voters do not belong to either the Democratic or the Republican party.
Opposition to the campaign comes from the group Defend Alaska Elections. Although also a bipartisan effort, one concern of Defend Alaska Elections is that Ballot Measure 2 would restrict the conservative voice. “This initiative can largely be seen as a plan by progressives to take control of Alaska’s political system. Rankedchoice voting has been implemented in locations which can hardly be considered strongholds of conservative political thought,” stated Ann Brown, Chairperson of the Alaska Republican Party.
Another concern is that the top four primary system would inhibit candidates from smaller parties, such as the Libertarian or Alaskan Independence Party, from being viable options. At the same time, though, the initiative also has strong support from Libertarians, who say that ranked choice voting allows thirdparty voters to select the candidate they prefer without worrying about “stealing” votes from the two main parties, according to Jon Briggs Watts, chairperson of the Alaska Libertarian Party.