Yukon voters to decide on ranked-choice voting

Yukon voters are heading to the polls this fall in an election that could reshape not just who governs the territory, but how democracy itself works there. On Nov. 3, residents will cast two ballots: one for their local member of the legislative assembly (MLA) and another on whether to change the voting system from first-past-the-post to ranked choice voting.

The ballot measure, though non-binding, could signal a major shift in how future elections are decided. The question on the ballot asks voters whether they want to replace the current system with one that allows ranking candidates by preference, as is done in Alaska and some other jurisdictions in the Lower 48. Under ranked choice, if no one wins a majority on the first count, the lowest candidate is dropped and their supporters’ second choices are redistributed until someone passes 50%.

Alaskans are attempting to repeal this system that was voted in during the 2020 general election and a petition is being circulated to get the repeal on the 2026 ballot. In Alaska, ranked-choice voting was sold to voters under the same premise, but was pushed by Outside dark-money groups who wanted to help Sen. Lisa Murkowski avoid facing Republican primary voters. The first repeal attempt lost by 743 votes in 2024, despite massive spending from Outside entities to keep it.

The push for reforming voting in the Yukon comes from a citizens’ assembly and a legislative committee that has studied electoral systems over the past two years. In spite of evidence to the contrary, they decided a ranked system could make elections fairer and reduce vote-splitting. The plebiscite gives Yukoners their first opportunity to weigh in before the government decides whether to act.

Turnout will be key. A clear mandate either way could shape Yukon politics for a generation. Even if a majority votes “yes” on ranked choice, the result won’t automatically change the system — it will still be up to the next government to decide whether to legislate it. But the outcome will be closely watched across Canada, where debates over electoral reform often have stalled at the national level.