Ballot Measure 2State law · Citizen initiative
Repeal top-four voting system
Explain it like I'm 5
Today, all candidates run in one primary, and voters rank finalists in the general election. This would bring back party primaries and let voters choose one candidate, like picking one favorite instead of ranking several.
Yes vote
Repealing the top-four open primary, ranked-choice general elections, and certain campaign-finance disclosure rules adopted in 2020.
No vote
Keeping the current top-four open primary, ranked-choice general elections, and those campaign-finance disclosure rules.
The question to ask yourself
Do you value simpler one-choice voting and party primaries more than open primaries, ranked choices, and the related disclosure rules?
The case for
- A one-choice ballot may be easier to understand and count.
- Party primaries let political parties choose their own nominees.
- Returning to the old system may feel more familiar to voters.
Backed by: Repeal Now, Alaska Republican Party
The case against
- Open primaries let all voters participate without joining a party.
- Ranked choices can reduce vote splitting and reward broader support.
- Repeal would also remove some rules identifying the true sources of political spending.
Opposed by: No on 2, Alaskans for Better Elections, League of Women Voters of Alaska
- Money
- State implementation is estimated to cost about $2.6 million, with no direct tax-rate change stated.
- Don't be misled
- Calling this only an RCV repeal is misleading because it also changes primaries and campaign-finance disclosure rules.