Repeal Now group files lawsuit over ballot language for ranked-choice voting do-over

By SUZANNE DOWNING

Feb. 17, 2026 – The group behind Alaska’s latest push to repeal ranked-choice voting filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Alaska Division of Elections, arguing that the state’s revised ballot language for the 2026 repeal vote is unclear, incomplete, and potentially misleading.

The lawsuit, brought by Repeal Now, asks the court to restore wording that the group says meets Alaska’s legal standards for neutrality and accuracy, ensuring voters can understand exactly what a “yes” or “no” vote would mean when the initiative appears on the ballot.

“Voters deserve simplicity, clarity and neutrality,” said Judy Eledge, chair of Repeal Now. “This lawsuit is about protecting voters, not politics. Alaskans deserve ballot language that plainly and fairly explains what they are being asked to decide. It’s vital that every Alaskan knows exactly what their ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote actually means.”

Filed_Complaint and Exhibits

The dispute centers on the official summary that will appear before voters when they are asked whether to repeal Alaska’s current election system, adopted through Ballot Measure 2 in 2020. That measure created a top-four jungle primary and ranked-choice voting in general elections.

Repeal Now contends that the Department of Law altered the ballot language in response to demands made in an earlier lawsuit filed by attorney Scott Kendall and plaintiffs. Kendall was one of the key architects of the 2020 reforms.

That earlier lawsuit was filed in January by a group of Alaskans including Sen. Cathy Giessel, Alaska AFL-CIO President Joelle Hall, and former Juneau City Council member Barbara Blake.

The plaintiffs argued that the state’s prepared ballot summary was biased and inaccurate, claiming it used politically loaded terms and misstated how the repeal measure would affect campaign finance provisions tied to the original 2020 initiative.

Kendall is representing those plaintiffs through the Alaskans for Better Elections Foundation, the group that helped pass the ranked-choice voting system in the first place.

Now Repeal Now is asking the court to reverse the revised language and replace it with what the organization calls a clearer, more impartial explanation. The group says voters should not be influenced by confusing terminology or wording that could sway the outcome.

Repeal Now said it hopes the issue can be resolved quickly so that Alaskans can have confidence in the electoral process heading into 2026.

The repeal initiative has already qualified for the statewide ballot. Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom certified in late December 2025 that the campaign submitted enough valid signatures, 42,837 qualified, to place the measure before voters.

The repeal question is scheduled for the Nov. 3 general election ballot, though election officials have noted it could move earlier to the August primary if the Legislature were to pass substantially similar legislation and adjourn early enough. No such legislative action has occurred.

The lawsuit comes after Alaska voters narrowly rejected a previous repeal attempt in 2024, preserving ranked-choice voting by less than 800 votes.

Supporters of repeal argue that ranked-choice voting is confusing and unfair and undermines traditional plurality elections. Supporters of the current system argue it encourages moderation and reduces polarization.