Alaska Will Decide Future of Ranked Choice Voting
Voters in the November 2026 general election will determine whether to keep or repeal the state's election system.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Do you support keeping the current ranked choice voting system in your state?
Alaska voters will head to the polls in November 2026 to decide the future of the state's ranked choice voting system. This referendum comes four years after the state first implemented the top-four open primary and ranked choice general election model.
Why it matters
Supporters of the system intended it to reduce partisanship by encouraging candidates to appeal to a broader range of voters beyond their traditional bases. The upcoming vote follows an effort by some to return to previous methods after the recent primary.
The system mandates that the top four vote-getters in an open primary advance to the general election. While voters previously rejected a repeal effort two years ago, five candidates withdrew from major races following the August 2026 primary.
The players
Tom Begich
The candidate withdrew from the gubernatorial race after finishing second in the primary election.
The details
Alaska utilizes a top-four open primary system where the leading candidates move to a ranked choice general election. Maine currently stands as the only other state in the country that employs ranked choice voting for statewide races.
Timeline
Four years ago, Alaska first implemented the top-four ranked choice system.
Two years ago, voters rejected a previous effort to repeal the voting system.
The primary election occurred in August 2026.
The general election and referendum on the voting system will take place in November 2026.
Political Context
Opponents of the current system argue that the ranked choice format complicates the ballot and fails to produce the desired decrease in partisan tensions. This push for repeal contrasts with the original intent of the 2022 reform to broaden candidate appeal.
The outcome of this referendum will dictate the mechanics of how Alaskans cast their ballots in future cycles. Residents will navigate the current top-four primary and ranked general election system for the November 2026 contests.
The takeaway
The November vote represents a significant decision point for Alaska regarding its electoral structure. Voters must weigh the goal of reducing partisanship against concerns regarding candidate turnover and the complexity of the ranked system.
Further reading
For more information on state voting procedures, visit Alaska Elections.
Live Poll
Do you support keeping the current ranked choice voting system in your state?
