February 20, 2026
Alaska voters to decide ranked-choice voting repeal in 2026
RCV helped Murkowski win in 2022 but Peltola lost House seat in 2024 under same system
📊Electoral Systems🗳️Elections
Alaska adopted ranked-choice voting and open top-four primaries through Ballot Measure 2 in November 2020, passing by just 50.55% of the vote. The system lets all candidates from all parties compete in a single primary, with the top four advancing to a general election where voters rank candidates by preference.
Lt. Governor Nancy Dahlstrom certified the 2026 repeal initiative on December 31, 2025, confirming 42,837 valid signatures from across 40 of Alaska's 40 House districts—well above the 34,098 minimum from at least 30 districts. The initiative will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot unless the legislature acts first.
A prior repeal attempt failed in November 2024 by just 743 votes out of 321,203 cast—the narrowest defeat for any Alaska ballot initiative in state history. The final tally was 160,973 against repeal and 160,230 for it, underscoring how evenly divided Alaska voters remain.
The 2026 repeal campaign is called Repeal Now and is led by Bethany Marcum, who previously served as director of Americans for Prosperity-Alaska and then CEO of Alaska Policy Forum. The primary funding vehicle is Aurora Action Network PAC, funded mainly by Damien Stella, an Alaska engineering consultant, and Michael Rydin, a Texas political activist. The PAC had raised about $247,000 as of late 2025.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy has publicly supported repeal. Republican opposition to RCV intensified after the 2022 elections, when RCV allowed Sen. Lisa Murkowski—who had voted to convict Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial—to defeat Trump-endorsed challenger Kelly Tshibaka 53.7% to 46.3% in the third round of counting.
Rep. Mary Peltola, the first Alaska Native elected to Congress, won her House seat in 2022 under RCV but lost it in 2024 to Republican Nick Begich, who prevailed 51.3% to 48.7%. RCV's defenders cite Begich's win as evidence the system is party-neutral; its critics focus on Peltola's 2022 win as proof it benefited Democrats.
The measure's timing depends on the legislature. If the legislature adjourns before April 20, 2026, the initiative moves to the August 20 primary ballot. If it adjourns after that date, it stays on the November 3 general election ballot, where higher turnout typically favors the status quo.
Academic research from the University of Alaska (2025) found Alaska's top-four RCV system produced more cross-partisan voting and gave third-party candidates more viability than the old partisan primary, though critics argue the system creates voter confusion and artificially elevates centrist candidates over those with strong bases.
📊Electoral Systems🗳️Elections
People, bills, and sources
Nancy Dahlstrom
Alaska Lt. Governor
Bethany Marcum
Director of Repeal Now campaign
Damien Stella
Alaska engineering consultant and primary donor
Michael Rydin
Texas political activist and donor to Aurora Action Network PAC
Lisa Murkowski
U.S. Senator from Alaska (R)
Mike Dunleavy
Governor of Alaska (R)
What you can do
1
civic monitoring
Track the Alaska Legislature's adjournment date to determine RCV repeal ballot timing
Alaska voters will decide on repealing the state's top-four ranked-choice voting system in 2026 after the initiative qualified with 42,837 signatures. This follows the narrowest defeat in Alaska history in 2024, when repeal failed 49.9% to 50.1%. Whether the repeal appears on the August primary or November general election ballot depends entirely on when the legislature adjourns. Both sides are suing over ballot wording, and the legislature could pass similar legislation before adjournment to make the initiative moot.
Contact the Alaska Legislature at 907-465-4648 or akleg.gov to track the projected adjournment date. Ask: What is the projected adjournment date? Has the body considered legislation that would make the RCV repeal initiative moot by passing it into law? How many members support or oppose bringing a floor vote on RCV? Key context: Adjournment before April 20, 2026 moves repeal to August primary with higher-information voters. Later adjournment keeps it on November general election with larger, more diverse electorate. Both sides monitoring closely.
2
civic monitoring
Follow Alaska campaign finance reports for Aurora Action Network PAC and Repeal Now
Alaska requires campaign finance disclosure. Tracking Aurora Action Network PAC's donor lists tells you who is bankrolling the repeal effort—whether funding expands beyond Stella and Rydin, and whether national Republican organizations join. Tracking pro-RCV spending shows whether the system has well-funded defenders.
Ask APOC: How do I search for campaign finance filings for Repeal Now and Aurora Action Network PAC? Are there contribution limits on this type of ballot initiative committee? When are the next reporting deadlines?
3
civic education
Learn how to explain ranked-choice voting to others
Most voters have limited experience with RCV mechanics. Being able to explain how the top-four primary and instant-runoff general works—and what changes under the old partisan primary system—is essential for informed civic participation in the 2026 campaign.
The Alaska Division of Elections has official explainer materials at elections.alaska.gov/RCV.php. You can request voter education materials for community groups.