Policy

A proposed ballot measure in Alaska would create major changes in how leaders are elected if passed in 2020. The measure would:

Establish Top-Four Nonpartisan Primaries
‍All candidates, regardless of party affiliation, would appear on the same primary ballot and the top-four vote getters would advance to the general election. The switch would also permanently open Alaska’s primaries to independent voters, who currently make up 56% of the electorate.
Implement Ranked Choice Voting
‍Ranked Choice Voting is an alternative voting method that gives voters more voice, choice, and power in our political system. Voters rank candidates on their ballots in order of preference and if no candidate receives majority support of first place votes an “instant runoff” is used until someone earns 50% of the vote.
Campaign Finance Disclosure‍
Prohibits “Dark Money” by requiring disclosure of the true source of any contribution to a candidate Independent Expenditure group; Both donors and recipients would be required to disclose any contribution greater than $2,000 within 24 hours; Any group getting more than 50% of its funds from outside the state must provide a disclaimer with that information on all communications.‍
Call for a 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution
‍The amendment would give Congress and states the authority to set contribution and spending limits to regulate the role of money in our political system

Campaign

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.

Who

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.