Coalition Forms to Defend Alaska’s Election System

por pedro graterol

Protect Alaska’s Elections launches as leaders from across Alaska organize to oppose
​the repeal of open primaries and ranked-choice voting.

In what basically has become a tradition in state politics, Alaska is once again heading toward a vote on the future of its electoral system. However, in 2026, this debate will unfold alongside a coordinated effort from a newly formed coalition designed to defend the system now in place.

If there’s no decisive action by lawmakers, like passing substantially similar legislation during the upcoming session, voters in 2026 will decide whether to repeal Alaska’s top-four primary and ranked-choice voting framework. The measure would also undo campaign finance rules requiring certain contributors to disclose the “true sources” of political funding. The initiative advanced after the Alaska Division of Elections verified 42,837 signatures across 40 House districts, surpassing the required 34,098 signatures from at least 30 districts. The timing of the vote will depend on when the Legislature adjourns.

However, in response to this repeal effort, a cross-partisan ballot committee: Protect Alaska’s Elections, has registered with the Alaska Public Offices Commission and is preparing to launch a formal “Vote No” campaign. Leaders from organizations including the Alaska AFL-CIO, the Alaska Regional Association, and Alaskans working through labor and business representation such as IUPAT AK Local 1959 are joining the effort. In a press release the group said: “As expected, the Alaska Division of Elections has now certified the proposal to repeal Alaska’s open primary, ranked choice voting, and dark money disclosure laws for the ballot in 2026. This will force Alaskans to relitigate the same issue for the third time in six years.”
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Voices within the coalition emphasized the stakes. Nicole Borromeo noted that rural and Alaska Native communities have backed election reform. Cathy Giessel pointed to disclosure rules designed to reveal the true sources of political spending. Joelle Hall said Alaska’s system requires candidates to appeal broadly in order to build governing majorities.
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For Alaskans for Better Elections, one of the groups that traditionally have advocated for ranked choice voting, the coalition represents continuity with voter choices already made: “Alaskans have twice approved election reforms that allow voters to choose any candidate at every election,” said Executive Director Juli Lucky. “Our system elects leaders that work across the aisle to put aside their differences and focus on solutions. I’m pleased that a cross-partisan group of Alaskans has come together to form Protect Alaska’s Elections to fight to keep power in voters’ hands.”