Alaska voters have decisively rejected a ballot measure to repeal the state’s ranked-choice voting system, with unofficial results showing 53.52% opposed to Measure 2 and 46.48% in favor, a margin of 18,655 votes. The outcome marks the second consecutive election in which Alaskans have voted to preserve the system, despite ongoing debates over its complexity and potential for manipulation.
The vote ensures that Alaska’s nonpartisan top-four primary system and ranked-choice general election rules remain in place. Under this system, all candidates—regardless of party affiliation—compete on a single primary ballot, with the top four advancing to the general election. If no candidate secures a majority of first-choice votes in the general election, ranked-choice tabulation is used to redistribute votes until a winner emerges.
Governor’s race decided outright; Senate contest heads to potential runoff
In the gubernatorial race, Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins secured a majority of first-choice votes, winning with 50.81% and avoiding a ranked-choice runoff. His victory was called shortly after unofficial results were released on November 13.
The U.S. Senate race between incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democratic challenger Mary Peltola remains unresolved. Peltola currently holds 49.84% of first-choice votes to Sullivan’s 46.09%, with the remaining votes distributed among two other candidates. If Peltola’s total does not reach 50%, the race will proceed to ranked-choice tabulation to determine the winner.
Controversy over spoiler candidate in Senate race
The Senate contest drew national attention due to the presence of an independent candidate named Dan J. Sullivan, whose name mirrored that of the Republican incumbent. Critics alleged that the independent candidate was a spoiler intended to siphon votes from Sen. Dan Sullivan, though Peltola’s campaign has denied any involvement in recruiting him. The episode has drawn federal and state investigations, though a federal judge recently dismissed a Trump administration effort to segregate ballots cast for Dan J. Sullivan.
Background: Alaska’s election system under scrutiny
Alaska voters first approved the ranked-choice voting system in 2020, and a similar repeal effort failed narrowly in 2024. Proponents argue that the system reduces polarization by incentivizing candidates to appeal beyond their party’s base, while opponents contend it confuses voters and allows little-known candidates to advance with minimal support.
Supporters of the current system, including organizations like Unite America, celebrated the vote as a reaffirmation of voter choice. Critics, however, continue to question its fairness and transparency, particularly in light of the Senate race controversy.
The results underscore Alaska’s status as a national outlier in election administration, with its nonpartisan primaries and ranked-choice voting setting it apart from most other states.