Alaskan Voters Divided Over Ranked Choice Voting Repeal

The battle over Alaska's ranked choice voting system has intensified, with a group opposing the repeal initiative, No on 2, raising over $12 million to defend the new voting reforms. Meanwhile, the campaign to repeal the system, led by Phillip Izon II, has raised a mere $120,000, but Izon remains confident that Ballot Measure 2 will prevail on Election Day.

The Clash of Fundraising Giants in Alaska's Voting Reforms

The Opposing Campaigns: David vs. Goliath

The campaign to repeal Alaska's ranked choice voting system, led by Phillip Izon II, has faced an uphill battle against the well-funded opposition. Izon's campaign has raised only $120,000, a stark contrast to the $12 million raised by the No on 2 group, which is working to defend the state's new voting reforms.Izon, who is taking a break in Hawaii after the signature gathering and legal battles, sees his campaign as a "David and Goliath story," drawing parallels to the biblical tale of a young shepherd taking on a Philistine giant and prevailing. Despite being outraised by a ratio of 100-to-1, Izon believes the repeal effort has excitement on its side, pointing to the large turnouts at events he has promoted through radio ads and social media, as well as the signature gathering effort led by over 400 volunteers.

The Funding Sources: Local vs. National

The vast majority of the $12 million raised by the No on 2 group has come from out-of-state sources. The top three contributors are non-partisan advocacy non-profits from the Lower 48: Article IV in Arlington, Virginia; Unite America in Denver, Colorado; and Action Now Initiative LLC in Houston, Texas.In contrast, Izon's repeal campaign has received smaller donations that are mostly from Alaskans. He has criticized the opposition's reliance on big, out-of-state donors, arguing that he knew from the start that he wouldn't be able to compete on fundraising.

The Campaign Strategies: Focusing on the Open Primary

The No on 2 campaign has focused its efforts on radio and TV advertising, as well as mailed advertising materials, polling, and events. Izon has criticized the group for not mentioning ranked choice voting on its materials, instead focusing on the issue of the open primary component of the ballot measure.Izon believes that the pro-ranked choice campaign's ads and its millions of dollars in funding won't ultimately matter. "I don't think they'll be able to spend enough," he said, expressing confidence that the repeal effort will prevail on Election Day.

The Local Support: Alaskans for Better Elections

While the No on 2 campaign has received significant out-of-state funding, it also boasts local support. The campaign is chaired by former state Sen. Lesil McGuire, a Republican from Anchorage, and managed by Juli Lucky, who is also the executive director of Alaskans for Better Elections.In an emailed response, Lucky stated, "Defending these pro-voter reforms is vital for Alaska's future. We're deeply grateful for the overwhelming support we've received from Alaskans and national partners alike, as we work together to protect the integrity of our elections and ensure every voter's voice is heard."The battle over Alaska's voting system has become a high-stakes political showdown, with the well-funded No on 2 campaign working to preserve the state's new ranked choice voting system, while the grassroots-driven repeal effort led by Izon seeks to roll back these reforms. As the election approaches, Alaskan voters will have a crucial decision to make, one that could shape the future of their state's democratic processes.