Alaska’s Confusing Voting System Produces Another Clear No

Alaska voters have rejected another attempt to repeal ranked-choice voting. Opponents say the system is confusing. They appear to be having particular difficulty with “no.”

The Associated Press reports that the repeal measure failed for the second time in two years. Voters adopted open primaries and ranked-choice general elections in 2020. The system first ran in 2022. It has now survived enough attempts at cancellation to qualify as a regular program.

Under the open primary, the top four candidates advance regardless of party. Voters then rank candidates in the general election. Supporters say this encourages broader coalitions. Major parties and campaigns sometimes pressure lower-finishing primary candidates to withdraw, which is a fascinating response to giving voters four choices: urgently try to remove some.

Donald Trump opposes the system, and Elon Musk was among the repeal effort’s donors. The measure would also have removed some campaign-finance disclosure rules.

Apparently the confusing part about election money is being able to see it.