In what might be a positive sign for opponents of Alaska’s ranked-choice voting, Ohio just became the 19th state to prohibit the controversial system in state elections. Legislation to this effect was signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine on March 17.
This November, Alaska voters will have their own chance to ditch ranked-choice, a contentious and often confusing election system in which voters rank various candidates. If no candidate wins a majority, the person with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes are redistributed in accordance with their supporters’ second choices. This continues until one candidate has over 50% of the vote.
Since Alaska narrowly adopted ranked-choice voting in 2020, support for the system has begun to erode nationwide. Shortly after Democrat Mary Peltola won a ranked-choice election over Republicans Nick Begich and Sarah Palin in 2024 (despite failing to earn a majority of first-round votes), numerous states have moved to ban the practice.
Ohio’s new law takes effect in 90 days.
Alaskans will vote on the fate of ranked-choice during the upcoming November general election, which will mark the third time in six years that voters will have weighed in on the voting system.
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While Alaska supporters of RCV claim it makes elections fairer and opens the field for more candidates to succeed, the main website aimed at repealing the measure in Alaska argues that the system has made it more difficult for independents, newcomers, and grassroots candidates to win.
“Big money, special interests, and political consultants have learned how to game the system,” the YesEndrcv.com website states. “Ordinary Alaskans are left wondering if their voices really matter when the outcome seems increasingly detached from their first-choice votes.”
The website notes that prior to ranked-choice voting, every Alaskan knew exactly how to participate: “pick the one candidate you believe in most. The candidate with the most support won — plain and simple. That’s the way it should be.”
