The Alaska voting system dilutes party and billionaire control and elevates the importance of running for office and voting in every election. That’s great! Today in Juneau, bipartisan “majority caucuses” lead the Alaska Senate and House of Representatives. Republicans, democrats, and independents—caucusing together—are getting Alaska’s business done. The minority caucuses? Both are entirely Trump republicans and exactly where they belong.
Ballot Measure 2 is sort of like Trump’s SAVE-Act, only Alaska style. It would dismantle Alaska’s home-grown electoral innovation, one that constrains power-politics, parties, and billionaire backers. Maybe that’s why Senator Sullivan calls it “rigged.” In November, I will vote No on ballot measure 2.
Besides the “ranked-choice” general election provision, the Alaska system has other important features: 1) every candidate gets into our one orderly primary election—no members-only caucus, XYZ party primary, “super-delegates”, or the proverbial “smoke-filled rooms;” 2) No “Dark Money.” Alaska requires prompt disclosure for campaign donations over $2000 and if funds are Alaskan, or originate from out-of-state. Trumpian spin-doctors now describe the Alaska system as “inherently corrupt” — a blatant falsity.
The primary election is August 18th and a lot of names are on the ballot. Seventeen vie to be Governor, sixteen for U.S. Senate. More—not fewer—candidates are better for Alaska and America. Alaska’s system is neither “rigged” nor “inherently corrupt”. Please check out the primary ballot and plan to vote. You’ll also find Ballot Measure 1, which defines rational limits for campaign donations.
Burl Sheldon