Alaska’s ranked choice voting system has survived a close vote, and Republican Nick Begich has unseated Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola in the U.S. House race, according to unofficial results. With the state’s future voting system at stake, the decision marks a significant moment for the state’s political landscape.
Ranked Choice Voting Survives in Alaska
In a major electoral outcome, Alaska has chosen to keep its ranked choice voting system. The decision comes after a tense wait for final tabulations of the ballots from the November election. The ranked choice voting system was passed in 2020 through a ballot measure, and this is the second election cycle where it has been in play. Though it has sparked considerable debate, with some arguing it is too complicated, the results now show Alaskans have opted to stick with it.
The results of the ballot measure to repeal ranked choice voting were particularly close, with only a narrow margin between supporters and opponents. As of Wednesday’s unofficial results, 160,619 votes were cast against the repeal, while 159,955 votes were in favor of repealing it—just a 664-vote difference. While the results still require certification by November 30, this slim margin indicates that the system, which allows voters to rank candidates by preference rather than voting for one candidate only, will remain intact.
Opponents of the system had long pushed for its repeal, arguing that ranked choice voting was confusing and unnecessary. However, those advocating for its continuation celebrated the results, with leaders from the “No on 2” campaign expressing their satisfaction. “We are thrilled that Alaskans from all over the state, with diverse views and different backgrounds, came together to preserve the system that empowers voters,” said Juli Lucky, the executive director of the No on 2 campaign.
The Race for Alaska’s U.S. House Seat
In a closely watched race, Republican Nick Begich defeated incumbent Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola. Begich, who had claimed victory earlier in the week, officially outpaced Peltola in the final tabulation by over 8,000 votes. The results of the ranked choice tabulation revealed Begich with 164,117 votes compared to Peltola’s 155,703. Peltola had not yet conceded the race prior to the final tabulation.
Begich’s victory is historic in its own right. His grandfather, also named Nick Begich, had served as Alaska’s sole U.S. House representative from 1970 until his presumed death in a plane crash in 1972. The younger Begich’s win marks a new chapter in Alaska’s political history as he follows in his grandfather’s footsteps, this time on the Republican side of the aisle.
While Peltola had been the first Democrat to hold the seat since the early 1970s, her loss to Begich highlights the increasing polarization of the state’s politics. Peltola had won the seat in a special election following the death of Congressman Don Young in 2022, and she had made history as the first Alaska Native representative in Congress.
Despite the loss, Peltola’s impact on Alaska’s political scene is undeniable. Her tenure had drawn attention to issues affecting rural Alaska, as well as her unique position as a moderate Democrat in a state that has traditionally leaned conservative.
The Future of Ranked Choice Voting
As the final unofficial results of Alaska’s 2024 election are tabulated, many are reflecting on the state’s ongoing experiment with ranked choice voting. Proponents of the system argue that it ensures a more representative democracy by allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference, which can lead to less polarized outcomes.
By enabling voters to cast their ballots for their favorite candidate without fear of “wasting” their vote, ranked choice voting encourages broader participation. It also discourages negative campaigning, as candidates need to appeal to a wider base to earn second and third-choice votes.
Opponents of ranked choice voting, however, have consistently argued that the system is overly complicated and that it leads to confusing results. Some also claim that the system disproportionately favors candidates with higher name recognition, as voters may feel inclined to rank more established candidates as their first choice.
Impact on Alaska’s Legislative Races
Along with the high-profile U.S. House race, ranked choice voting also had implications in Alaska’s legislative elections. The state held tabulations for eight legislative races where no candidate received more than 50% of first-preference ballots. However, there were no surprises in the outcomes of these races, with no changes to the leaders following the ranked choice tabulations.
In one notable development, Republican former Rep. David Nelson overtook Democratic Rep. Cliff Groh in the race for House district including Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage. Nelson’s victory did not come from ranked choice tabulation, but rather because he secured more than 50% of first-preference votes. This change, however, could have implications for the future balance of power in the Alaska House of Representatives, especially as Groh had been expected to join a narrow majority of Democrats and independents.
Though the results are still unofficial and subject to final certification, these races provide a glimpse into the growing influence of ranked choice voting in Alaska’s political landscape.
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