Alaska Voters Decide on Ranked Choice Voting Repeal
Alaska voters will decide on November 3 whether to ban ranked choice voting following criticism from Republican leaders and Donald Trump.
Voters in Alaska and Maine will utilize ranked choice voting for congressional and state races during the 2026 midterm elections. This system allows voters to rank candidates by preference, transferring votes from eliminated candidates until a majority winner is determined. While supporters claim the method reduces the spoiler effect and negative campaigning, critics argue it is unfair.
Donald Trump has campaigned against the system, describing it as a "Democrat scam" and a "way to cheat." In Alaska, voters will decide on November 3 whether to ban the practice via a ballot question. This follows a failed 2024 attempt to repeal the system that was decided by only 743 votes.
Republican leaders, including Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Congressman Nick Begich III, have pushed for the repeal. Despite these political objections, researchers state there is no evidence that ranked choice voting benefits one political party over another.
