Alaska Election System Faces Repeal Push Over Ballot-Stacking Claims
Supporters of a repeal measure argue Alaska's ranked choice voting system allows super PACs to manipulate elections using spoiler candidates to split votes.
A debate over the repeal of Alaska's nonpartisan primary and ranked choice voting system has intensified following allegations of ballot-stacking in the U.S. Senate race. The controversy was triggered by the appearance of two candidates named Dan Sullivan on the ballot, leading critics to argue the system encourages the use of spoiler candidates to divide the electorate.
Greg Powers, a campaign manager for the repeal effort, and former Attorney General Craig Richards claim that super PACs recruit minor candidates to exploit unranked ballots and manipulate outcomes. Powers suggests these actors are attempting to gain a statistical edge in close elections.
Defenders of the system, including consultant John-Henry Heckendorn and attorney Scott Kendall, argue that the strategic recruitment of spoiler candidates is a national trend that predates the current rules. Heckendorn contends that ranked choice voting actually blunts the impact of such candidates by allowing voters to designate a second preference if their first choice is eliminated.
