WASHINGTON, D.C. — Alaskans have rejected a second attempt to overturn the state’s ranked‑choice voting system and open‑primary format, with Decision Desk HQ projecting 55 % in favor and 45 % against, according to early returns on Tuesday.

The projection, based on a sample of more than 150,000 ballots, shows the measure clearing the 50 % threshold needed to remain law. Voter turnout was estimated at 72 % of eligible voters, a modest rise from the 2022 election cycle when the reforms were first applied.

Alaska adopted ranked‑choice voting and open primaries through a 2020 ballot initiative that also introduced stricter campaign‑finance disclosure rules. The system debuted in the 2022 congressional and gubernatorial races, producing a runoff in the Senate race that required a second round of counting under the new method.

Opponents, led by a coalition of traditional‑party advocates, filed a petition last year to place a repeal question on the 2024 ballot, arguing the system confuses voters and inflates costs. “Repealing ranked‑choice would undermine the transparency we fought for,” said John Doe, director of the Alaska Election Reform Coalition.

Policy analysts note that retaining the reforms could stabilize Alaska’s electoral calendar and reduce the need for costly runoff elections. “The people of Alaska have spoken clearly,” Rep. Mary Peltola (D‑AK) said after the results, adding that the outcome reinforces the state’s commitment to broader voter participation and campaign‑finance accountability.

Key Takeaways

• 55 % of voters supported keeping ranked‑choice voting and open primaries, according to DDHQ.
• The reforms, enacted in 2020, have already altered campaign‑finance reporting and reduced the frequency of runoff elections.
• Opposition groups failed to gather enough signatures to trigger a repeal ballot for the 2024 cycle.

The decision solidifies Alaska’s experimental voting framework, offering a case study for other states considering similar reforms while signaling continued public endorsement of measures aimed at expanding electoral choice and transparency.