Understanding Ballot Measure 2

Integrity in our elections | Honor your voice | Freedom to vote

In 2020, Alaska’s voters enacted three core pillars that shape our state’s election system and how we vote.

Open Primary

All candidates run on a single ballot that all voters get, regardless of party registration.

Prohibiting Dark Money

Anyone spending money on influencing elections has to say where their money comes from.

Ranked-Choice Voting

Voters can rank candidates in order of preference. The candidate with the majority of the votes in the final tally wins.

What is Ballot Measure 2?

Ballot Measure 2 would change our state’s voting system.

If passed, the measure would:

Eliminate the top four open primary system and limit voter choice to their registered party.
Increase dark money in our elections by ending campaign donor disclosure requirements and allowing people to contribute money without disclosing its true source.
End ranked-choice voting in Alaska’s elections.

A YES vote makes these changes.
A NO vote keeps our current system in place.

Ballot Measure 2 Voting Guide

Ballot Measure 2 Voting Guide: what a Yes vote changes versus what a No vote keeps, by election-system pillar.
Pillar	A “Yes” Vote / Change System	A “No” Vote / Current System
Open Primary	Eliminates open primaries and establishes separate primaries according to the voter’s party registration. The political parties would choose who may run and vote in its primary.	All candidates run on one ballot that every voter gets, regardless of party registration. The top four advance.
Campaign Donor Disclosure	Removes contribution limits and disclosure requirements. Campaign money can remain “dark” or anonymous, even above $2,000.	Anyone spending money on influencing elections has to say where their money comes from.
Ranked-Choice Voting	Eliminates ranked choice voting. Voters vote for one candidate.	Voters rank candidates in order of preference. The candidate with the majority of votes after the final tally wins.

I served more than 20 years under an oath to the Constitution, not to a political party. That’s one reason I value an election system that gives Alaskans the freedom to consider all candidates, make our own choices, and vote for the people we believe will serve our communities best.
– Lucy Nagel
Alaska Native and U.S. Air Force Veteran

Portrait of Shaina Kilcoyne, Alaskan and U.S. Army Veteran

I like our election system because it gives Alaskans more choice and makes candidates earn support from people across the state, not just from one party or one part of Alaska.
– Shaina Kilcoyne
Alaskan and U.S. Army Veteran

A History of Voting on Voting

The voting system passed by Alaska voters in 2020 has been integral to the way Alaskans have voted in the last several elections.

In 2024, opponents of the new system tried to repeal it, but Alaskans rejected this attempt and kept the 2020 system in place. Now, Alaskans are being asked to vote on this yet again, making it the third time in three elections that Alaskans have voted on the system.

Out-of-state billionaires and political party leaders are heading up the effort to try and repeal Alaska’s voting system. They know that passing Ballot Measure 2 would put party leaders back in control of who is allowed to vote in primary elections and eliminate campaign finance laws that force billionaire donors to disclose their spending to influence Alaska’s elections.

Learn more about what’s on Ballot Measure 2 and how it impacts Alaska’s voting system.

Frequently Asked Questions