Reformers in Alaska are working on a ballot measure that would prohibit dark money, implement nonpartisan top-four primaries, and introduce Ranked Choice Voting for all state and federal elections.
The campaign must collected 28,501 valid signatures by January 21, 2020; the signatures will then be submitted to the Lieutenant Governor’s office who has 60 days to approve the signatures and certify the measure. If Alaska’s 2020 legislative session ends before April 21 -- which historical precedence suggests is unlikely -- the ballot measure will appear on the August 2020 primary ballot; otherwise, the question will appear on the November 2020 general election ballot.
Alaskans for Better Elections is the ballot committee advocating for the measure. The campaign is being led by Governor Walker’s former Chief of Staff, Scott Kendall. The campaign co-chairs are former independent state legislator and good government advocate Jason Grenn, former Democrat state Attorney General Bruce Botelho, and Republican activist Bonnie Jack.
The coalition of national organizations supporting the effort includes Action Now Initiative, American Promise, FairVote, Open Primaries, RepresentUs, and Voters Right to Know.