Alaska and Ranked-Choice Voting: It's Over—for Now

In addition to the presidential race, the 2024 elections were highlighted by the discussion around ranked-choice voting (RCV). Despite facing setbacks in many areas, Alaska adopted RCV via a ballot initiative in 2020. In the most recent election, a repeal of RCV was proposed on the ballot, but ultimately fell short by a narrow margin of just over 700 votes. Significant amounts of undisclosed funds poured into the state from external sources to support the retention of this voting system. Following a recount, the repeal appears to have been unsuccessful, at least for the time being.

Election officials finished recounting the results of Ballot Measure 2 on Monday, and the outcome remains unchanged.

Alaska will keep ranked choice voting and open primaries.

The endeavor to repeal RCV missed the mark by a mere 743 votes, representing about a quarter of a percentage point, as reported by the Division of Elections. This figure closely aligns with the officially certified results, which indicated a 737-vote difference out of more than 300,000 total votes cast.

The Alaska Republican Party requested the recount and monitored vote-counting alongside the anti-repeal campaign, No On 2.

Despite this outcome, Alaskans are known for their persistence. Phil Izon, a key figure in the movement to repeal RCV, has expressed determination to reintroduce the issue on the ballot in the next election cycle in 2026.

“Against all odds and with just a fraction of the resources, we stood toe-to-toe with the giants [who] out-funded us 100-to-one and came within a whisper of victory,” he said by phone. “With renewed energy and a belief in our cause, we can turn that razor-thin loss into a decisive win.”

While the RCV advocates can be expected to dump a lot of Outside money into the 2026 race again, there are some key differences in a mid-term election.


You May Also Like
2 Jewish students file lawsuit against Chicago's DePaul University for negligence after Lincoln Park campus attack

Lawsuit Filed by 2 Jewish Students Against DePaul University for Negligence Following Attack on Lincoln Park Campus

CHICAGO (WLS) — Max Long and Michael Kaminsky were blindsided in an…
Karen Schepers case: Family thanks community for help in solving 1983 Elgin cold case: 'Miracles do happen'

The Schepers Family Expresses Gratitude to Community for Solving 1983 Elgin Cold Case

ELGIN, Ill. (WLS) — The family of Karen Schepers is speaking out…
Leading Canadian conservative says Ottawa should remove all tariffs as 'Liberation Day' arrives

A prominent Canadian conservative suggests that Ottawa eliminate all tariffs as a way to celebrate ‘Liberation Day’.

In anticipation of President Donald Trump’s planned reciprocal tariffs labeled as “Liberation…
Measles outbreak: Medical experts warn against giving children Vitamin A as substitute for MMR vaccine

Medical professionals caution against using Vitamin A instead of the MMR vaccine for children during measles outbreak

HOUSTON, Texas — Medical experts are discussing a new concern related to…
Kidney donor Jose Gregorio Gonzalez detained by ICE in Chicago area, hopes to save brother Jose Alfredo Pacheco; release pending

Release Pending for Chicago-Area Kidney Donor Jose Gregorio Gonzalez Detained by ICE, Aims to Save Brother’s Life

In BERWYN, Illinois, it has been reported by ABC7 that a man…
Budget-Busting Climate Provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act Must Go

Remove Expensive Climate Measures from the Bill to Lower Inflation

By  President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats capitalized on the public’s concern…
Number of Tesla attacks soars past 50 as violence targeting Musk's company escalates

Tesla has been the victim of more than 50 attacks as violence against Musk’s company intensifies

The number of reported assaults on Tesla cars, dealerships, and charging stations…
Netflix staff working on Meghan Markle's As Ever launch admit: 'We're already over it'

Netflix employees working on the launch of Meghan Markle’s As Ever series confess they are already feeling tired of it.

According to an insider speaking to MailOnline, employees at Netflix who are…
'Oklahoma City Bombing: One Day in America': New National Geographic docuseries gives unprecedented look at tragedy

New National Geographic series explores the Oklahoma City bombing in detail

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Thirty years ago, the deadliest act of domestic terrorism…
Bodycam in Connecticut house of horrors shows suspect after stepson's fiery escape

Footage from body camera in Connecticut reveals suspect following stepson’s escape from burning house.

Bodycam video from the Waterbury Police Department captures Kimberly Sullivan, the suspected…
Boston DA considering criminal charges against ICE agent who arrested illegal immigrant during trial

Boston District Attorney Contemplating Criminal Charges Against ICE Agent for Arresting Undocumented Immigrant During Trial

A district attorney from Massachusetts is contemplating bringing criminal charges against an…
GOP senator's brutal four-word take down of HHS worker complaining about being fired

Republican Senator delivers harsh four-word response to Health and Human Services employee upset about termination

A GOP senator was recently confronted about the Trump administration’s mass layoffs…