In 2022, Alaska made the regrettable decision to move to ranked-choice voting. Confusion ensued and the results of major races were distorted as a result. The state’s sole House seat wound up going to the Democratic candidate who received fewer votes than Republicans Sarah Palin and Nick Begich because the conservative vote wound up being split in half. That may be about to change after just one election cycle, however. There is an initiative on the ballot this year that would eliminate ranked-choice and return to traditional elections. But that initiative is being challenged and it may not wind up staying on the ballot. (Associated Press)
Alaska’s new election system — with open primaries and ranked voting — has been a model for those in other states who are frustrated by political polarization and a sense that voters lack real choice at the ballot box.
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