Statement on Alaska Ballot Measure 2 results

November 20, 2024 – Meredith Sumpter, FairVote president and CEO, shared the following statement in response to Alaska voters rejecting Ballot Measure 2 and preserving better elections with ranked choice voting and open primaries: 

“This is a good day for my home state of Alaska, and I congratulate Alaskans for Better Elections and No on 2 for the tremendous work they’ve done to win and sustain reform over the last several years – all in the interests of a government that delivers for Alaska voters. 

“The facts are clear: RCV and open primaries have worked in Alaska. In 2022, 85% of voters said RCV was simple; 62% said they liked the system; and independent-minded Alaska voters elected a conservative Republican governor, moderate Republican senator, and moderate Democratic congresswoman in their first use of RCV. This year, they elected a Republican congressman – a reminder that the reform is completely party-neutral. 

“The best evidence supporting how the reform is working for Alaskans has been in the state legislature. After the 2022 election, state legislators from both parties formed bipartisan majority caucuses focused on doing the people’s work in areas such as the economy, energy, public safety, and education. Contrast this with the divisive and unproductive legislative sessions of prior years. Within two days of this year’s election, bipartisan coalitions formed in both the State Senate and State House – and the Republican State Senate Majority Leader attributed the formation of those coalitions to open primaries and ranked choice voting. Alaska’s elected leaders work better together in the public interest with these reforms.

“We always knew this would be a close vote in this highly polarized environment, but the takeaway is clear. For the second time in four years, Alaska voters have voted for better elections. 

“We look forward to seeing how ranked choice voting continues to deliver for Alaska – empowering voters, rewarding candidates who can deliver for the majority of their constituents, and making our democracy work better.”

The Alaska results are pending final certification. Since 2016, ranked choice voting has grown from just 10 cities to over 50 cities, counties, and states home to 17 million people – including a 73% victory on Election Day in Washington, DC. Despite other statewide ballot measure losses this Election Day, nearly 4 million voters cast ballots to bring ranked choice voting to their city or state, and it won majority support in all five cities where it was on the ballot. 

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