Alaska Voters Face Ballot Measure Amid Sullivan Candidate Controversy
Alaska voters will decide on November 3 whether to keep the election system adopted in 2020, as they cast ballots in a closely watched Senate race featuring Republican incumbent Dan S. Sullivan, Democrat Mary Peltola and another candidate named Dan Sullivan. The ballot also includes Republican Gerald Heikes.
The second Sullivan, retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan, received 2.5% in the August primary. A report of an effort by people aligned with Peltola’s campaign to recruit him prompted allegations that his candidacy could confuse voters and draw support from the incumbent. Peltola has denied involvement. The Justice Department sued to block certification under certain circumstances, but a federal judge dismissed the case on Sunday. The department has said it will appeal.
Alaska’s system sends the top four finishers in an open, nonpartisan primary to the general election, where voters may rank candidates. If no candidate receives more than half of the initial selections, the lowest-ranked contender is removed and ballots are reassigned based on voters’ subsequent preferences. Supporters say ranked choice can limit the impact of a spoiler candidate; opponents argue the ballot is confusing and open to manipulation.
Ballot Measure 2 would restore party primaries and a general election in which voters choose one candidate. It would also repeal campaign-finance disclosure rules adopted with the current system. Election officials are targeting November 25 to certify results; ranked-choice tabulation could extend the count if no candidate wins a first-round majority.
Alaska’s Voting Reforms Face a Test Amid Spoiler Allegations
Alaska’s election controversy is not a reason to scrap reforms designed to give voters more choice. On November 3, voters will decide whether to retain the open-primary and ranked-choice system adopted in 2020, while choosing among four Senate candidates, including two named Dan Sullivan.
Peltola has denied involvement in an alleged effort by people aligned with her campaign to recruit retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan. The Justice Department tried to block certification in certain circumstances, but a federal judge dismissed the suit on Sunday, concluding the proposed remedy would not resolve any voter confusion and raising concerns about secret ballots. The department says it will appeal.
Ranked-choice voting gives voters a way to express backup preferences. If no candidate wins a first-round majority, votes for the last-place finisher can move to voters’ next choices, potentially limiting the effect of a spoiler. Supporters also say open primaries encourage candidates to appeal beyond party bases and help sustain bipartisan cooperation.
Measure 2 would restore party primaries and single-choice general elections, while repealing campaign-finance disclosure rules adopted alongside the current system. Its opponents argue that eliminating these reforms would remove both voter choice and transparency. Election officials are targeting November 25 to certify the results.
Alaska’s Confusing Election System Faces a Reckoning
Alaska voters have a chance on November 3 to reject an election system that critics say makes ballots harder to understand and leaves room for political gamesmanship. The Senate ballot includes incumbent Republican Dan S. Sullivan and retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan, whose candidacy has fueled allegations of an effort to confuse voters and siphon support from the incumbent.
Peltola has denied involvement in the alleged recruitment effort. The Justice Department sued to block certification in certain circumstances, but a federal judge dismissed the case on Sunday; the department says it will appeal. The dispute has put the weaknesses critics see in ranked-choice voting at the center of the race.
Under the current system, the top four primary candidates advance, and voters may rank their general-election choices. Critics say voters who select only one candidate may lose influence if that candidate is eliminated, while the unusual ballot creates opportunities for manipulation. Supporters counter that ranked-choice voting lets voters name backups and can reduce spoiler effects.
Measure 2 would return Alaska to party primaries and single-choice general elections. It would also repeal campaign-finance disclosure rules adopted with the reforms. The choice is whether to keep a system its defenders say fosters broader cooperation—or restore a more familiar process that opponents argue is clearer and less vulnerable to confusion. Officials are targeting November 25 to certify results.
Reported by The Boston Globe, MSNBC, Reason, CBS News, The Washington Examiner, PBS NewsHour.
