Alaska’s New Voting System

Historically, the United States has voted according to the plurality system: each voter votes for one candidate, and the candidate with the most vote wins. However, some states and localities use different systems. For example, in 2020, Alaska voters approved a measure changing the voting process in their state. In August 2022, the Alaska Supreme Court voted to uphold the new ranked-choice voting system for all state and federal political races going forward. But what is ranked voting, and how does it work? Here, Election Central takes a closer look. 

How Does It Work? 

In the traditional primary system, voters vote for competing candidates on the political party’s ballot. The winners of the primaries then advance to the general election against the primary winners of competing political parties. But Alaska’s new method is very different. Instead of two different primaries, there will just be one. Voters from both parties will participate together. All of the eligible candidates from all political parties are listed on a single ballot. The top four vote-getters will then advance to the general election, regardless of political party.  

At the general election, voters will rank the candidates on the ballot one through four. One will be their first choice, two their second choice, and so on. If a candidate wins more than fifty percent of the first-choice votes, he or she automatically becomes the winner. But if no one wins fifty percent of the vote, then the counting process starts over again. This time, the candidate who received the fewest votes is eliminated. If you picked that candidate as your first choice, your vote goes to your second-choice candidate. This process continues until a candidate receives more than fifty percent of the vote.  

What Are the Advantages? 

Under the plurality system, the candidate with the most votes wins, even if he or she doesn’t receive more than fifty percent of the vote. Ranked choice voting requires that a candidate receive a majority to win. Supporters of ranked choice voting say that this method reduces opposition between political parties and encourages elected officials to work together. Because candidates need to win votes from both parties, ranked voting tends to encourage politically moderate candidates, rather than those who are more politically extreme. It also allows voters more power, and parties less. Instead of choosing just one candidate, who you may not agree with but who is your party’s favored candidate, you can rank all the candidates according to your personal preference.  

What Are the Disadvantages? 

Critics worry that the new system is more complicated, and more difficult for voters to understand. The unfamiliarity of the system could reduce voter turnout. Learning the new method might also increase the risk of voting mistakes. It also means that votes will take longer to count, potentially delaying election results. Having to consider all candidates rather than focus only on your political party of choice puts more responsibility on voters to research a variety of candidates. Ranked-choice voting may also make it harder for third-party candidates to gain a foothold. 

What Other Places Use Ranked Voting? 

In 2022, fifty-five voting jurisdictions in the United States will be using ranked voting in their next state or local elections. Maine uses this system for statewide and federal elections as well. And it has been successful in other democratic nations, such as Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. 

What Do You Think? Based on what you’ve read above, which method do you think is more fair: ranked choice, or the traditional plurality method? Why?