By SUZANNE DOWNING
Nov. 4, 2026 – Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system is on track to survive a second repeal attempt, even as voters face another wait to learn who won the state’s marquee races and even as the jungle primary and ranked-choice general created chaos in Alaska elections. Ballot Measure 2 “yes” votes trailed by 7,556 votes Wednesday, with thousands of ballots still to be counted.
“No” had 105,774 votes, or 51.9%, to 98,218 votes, or 48.1%, for “Yes.” That’s with 393 of 400 precincts reporting. If that estimate holds, repeal would need more than 55% of the remaining votes cast on the measure to pull ahead.
That puts repeal supporters in a tougher spot than they were two years ago. The 2024 repeal measure led on election night before later counts erased its advantage and the measure narrowly failed by just over 740votes. This time, repeal starts far behind the “No” votes.
Alaskans adopted the current system in 2020. Candidates for an office run together in a single jungle primary, and the top four advance to the general election, where voters can rank them.
If no candidate has a first-choice majority, lower finishers are eliminated and ballots transfer to the next ranked candidate still in contention.
A “Yes” vote on Ballot Measure 2 would have restored normal party-led primaries and general elections in which the candidate with the most votes wins.
The unsettled races for governor and Congress illustrate one of the frustrations with ranked choice. A first-choice lead can make for a strong election-night headline while leaving the outcome dependent on how voters ranked candidates further down the ballot. Alaska also counts eligible absentee, early and questioned ballots in batches after Election Day.
Peltola leads Sen. Sullivan by 626 votes as Alaska’s top races remain unsettled
The state plans to release ranked-choice tabulations for candidate races that require them on Nov. 18, after eligible ballots are reviewed and counted. Ballot Measure 2’s result is not subject to a ranking, as it was a yes-no question.
7 thoughts on “Chaos reigns as Alaska’s second ranked-choice repeal bid trails by 7,556 votes”
One thing is certain: the Democrats are very lucky to have Republicans as competition.
“RepubliCAN’TS”, you mean.
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It astounds me how gutless and spineless Alaskan Republicans have become.
Case in point: lame-duck Governor Stands Small.
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WHY have virtually all state Republicans become nothing but door mats to radical leftists?
Why? How did and does this happen?
It is truly amazing. Republicans had all 3 branches of government and they threw it all away. Blame thune, trump, and johnson. Scumbags.
Also amazing that around 8000 people voted for sullivan and Begich but did not vote Yes on 2. Explain that.
Even more amazing only 1/3 of registered voters voted. Incredible apathy.
Blame TRUMP!
Comment of the year!
RCV may yet produce this:
Dan S. Sullivan = US Senate
Bernadette Wilson = Governor
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The system designed to defeat Republicans may do the opposite.
The story is good journalism but I fail to see the “chaos” mentioned in the headline. Even if some (or most) of your readers prefer to live in denial. Nick Begich overperformed. Good on Nick and his all Alaska team. Senator Dan found himself in a super competitive race. Not because of Decoy Dan. Because Mary was a competitive candidate, flaws and all. And because candidates who flew too close to the Trump paid a penalty at the ballot box. And when races are COMPETITIVE the focus ALWAYS shifts to the mail ballots, domestic and overseas. The candidates and their consultants sweat, but Alaskans are just happy the campaign noise is over.
I invite comments on why there was a significant drop-off between total votes cast in the Senate race and total votes cast on 2 in the current printouts. Long ballot? Some voters didn’t care? If the trend accelerates in the absentee, I wonder if that represents Alaskans Outside who vote to retain their Alaska residence (for PFDs?)but don’t follow Alaska issues.,