---
title: "Alaska voters reject ranked-choice voting repeal"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/alaska-voters-reject-ranked-choice-voting-repeal"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/alaska-voters-reject-ranked-choice-voting-repeal"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/alaska-voters-reject-ranked-choice-voting-repeal.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/alaska-voters-reject-ranked-choice-voting-repeal"
category: "Politics"
area: "United States"
published: "2026-11-14T16:45:32.046Z"
source_reported: "2026-11-14T15:02:29.000Z"
updated: "2026-11-14T17:45:14.267Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 60
hype_score: 20
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-11-14T17:45:14.129272+00:00"
---

# Alaska voters reject ranked-choice voting repeal

*Ballot Measure 2 failed for the second time, keeping the state's election system intact.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is supported by two full reports and 38 digests, with figures from one report.
- Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. The reporting explains the voting system and quotes supporters and opponents of the measure.
- Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. The language used is measured and proportionate, with no sensationalism or clickbait.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Alaska voters rejected Ballot Measure 2, which sought to repeal the state's ranked-choice voting system and open primaries.
- Unofficial results show 53.52 percent of voters opposed the repeal, with 46.48 percent in favour.
- The measure would have also repealed campaign finance rules requiring disclosure of political donation sources.
- Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins won the governor's race with a majority of first-choice votes, avoiding a ranked-choice tabulation.

Alaska voters have rejected Ballot Measure 2, an initiative to repeal the state's ranked-choice voting system and open primaries. Unofficial results indicate that 53.52 percent of voters opposed the repeal, while 46.48 percent supported it. The measure also aimed to restore party primaries and repeal campaign finance rules designed to identify political donation sources.

This is the second time in two years that Alaskans have voted to retain the system. A previous repeal effort in 2024 failed by a narrower margin. The defeat of Ballot Measure 2 means Alaska's election rules will remain in place for future elections.

## Disagreement on vote margin

Newsweek reported that the lead was 18,655 votes. Rank the Vote stated that 52.6% voted No on Ballot Measure 2.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left-rated, centre-rated, or right-rated digests mention the specific vote percentages for and against Ballot Measure 2 that were reported by Newsweek and Rank the Vote. The digests also do not mention Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins winning the governor's race with a majority of first-choice votes, or that Mary Peltola was nearing the threshold for a majority of first-choice votes in her Senate challenge.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 51 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 45% (23)
- Centre: 47% (24)
- Right: 8% (4)

6 of 57 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-11-14T17:45:14.129272+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 5 times; 1 check found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-11-14T18:30:23.156Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Left-rated reports focused on the rejection of Ballot Measure 2 and the continuation of Alaska's election system. Several outlets highlighted that this was the second time voters had rejected such a measure, with the 2024 attempt failing narrowly. Reports mentioned that the measure would have repealed open primaries and ranked-choice voting. Some digests noted that the measure was decided as part of the November 3 election.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports also centred on the rejection of Ballot Measure 2 and the preservation of Alaska's election system, including open primaries and ranked-choice voting. Several outlets noted this was the second consecutive vote to keep the system. The Anchorage Daily News, in its full report, quoted campaign figures. Bethany Marcum, who ran the campaign supporting the ballot measure, stated that the campaign raised $2.5 million while the opposition raised $10.4 million. Scott Kendall, who helped write the 2020 initiative, described the results as 'a large and growing mandate'.

### Right

- The two right-rated reports focused on the rejection of the ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries and the ranked voting system. The Batesville Daily Guard and Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer both used similar headlines and digests to report on the outcome.

**Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 1
- high: 25
- unknown: 6
- veryHigh: 25

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Spectrum News 13](http://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/politics/2026/11/14/alaska-open-primary-ranked-voting-ballot-rejected) — Alaska voters reject measure to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Bay News 9](http://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/politics/2026/11/14/alaska-open-primary-ranked-voting-ballot-rejected) — Alaska voters reject measure to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Newsweek](https://newsweek.com/two-dan-sullivans-sour-alaska-ranked-choice-voting-12715239) — Two Dan Sullivans Couldn’t Sour Alaska on Ranked-Choice Voting
- [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/73e736f299975d3d) — Two Dan Sullivans Couldn’t Sour Alaska on Ranked-Choice Voting
- [Political Wire](https://politicalwire.com/2026/11/14/alaskans-opt-to-stick-with-ranked-choice-voting) — Alaskans Opt to Stick with Ranked Choice Voting
- [npr](https://npr.org/2026/11/14/nx-s1-6034952/alaska-results-ranked-choice-voting-nonpartisan-primary) — Alaska voters aren't ditching ranked choice voting, top-four primaries
- [ksfr.org](https://ksfr.org/npr-news/2026-11-14/alaska-voters-arent-ditching-ranked-choice-voting-top-four-primaries) — Alaska voters aren't ditching ranked choice voting, top-four primaries
- [KPBS](https://kpbs.org/news/politics/2026/11/14/alaska-voters-arent-ditching-ranked-choice-voting-top-four-primaries) — Alaska voters aren't ditching ranked choice voting, top-four primaries
- [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/national/general-election/11308485/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Breitbart](https://breitbart.com/news/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Wral News](https://wral.com/news/ap/32b31-alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [KULR-TV](https://kulr8.com/news/national/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system/article_aee2c9e6-8778-57d0-8029-c8dd8db5f6cd.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Ottumwa Courier](https://ottumwacourier.com/news/national_news/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system/article_e65c7b81-c369-5a45-ac7e-910568faa78f.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Reflector](https://reflector.com/news/national/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system/article_08b40146-b6e2-5cb0-b4f0-20883a283be8.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Richmond Register](https://richmondregister.com/ap/national/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system/article_3f213880-7cd6-5425-b1f1-7de0c335a0d1.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [The Daily Star](https://thedailystar.com/news/state/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system/article_54bd77b4-c4ae-52ad-8237-caa9473f97d2.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [The Batesville Daily Guard](https://guardonline.com/news/national/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system/article_a971d34c-2872-5ffd-bc75-4c775b4542f7.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [The Times-Tribune](https://thetimestribune.com/news/national_news/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system/article_9e52e92d-e3e8-58b0-b18c-b676accf12d5.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Jonesboro Sun](https://jonesborosun.com/news/national/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system/article_3dbd92be-1fdb-5c66-99df-830c778392ff.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Cherokee Tribune Ledger News](https://tribuneledgernews.com/local_news/state_and_national/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system/article_49e81ffa-cd50-5315-82c0-170f7a3a65fd.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Santa New Mexican](https://santafenewmexican.com/ap/national/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system/article_6623eeda-02a5-51c2-9a38-ac2b41144d82.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Ketchikan Daily News](https://ketchikandailynews.com/news/alaska/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system/article_14fcfdea-f3f5-461b-9f87-ea49ddb4642d.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/alaska-election-ranked-choice-voting-32b316025d884692edc60c8915f31cc5) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Loonie Politics](https://looniepolitics.com/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Airdrie City View](https://airdriecityview.com/world-news/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system-13017633) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Orillia Matters](https://orilliamatters.com/world-news/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system-13017633) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Midland Today](https://midlandtoday.ca/world-news/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system-13017633) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Thorold Today](https://thoroldtoday.ca/world-news/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system-13017633) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Elora Fergus Today](https://elorafergustoday.com/world-news/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system-13017633) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Bowen Island Undercurrent](https://bowenislandundercurrent.com/world-news/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system-13017640) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [StratfordToday.ca](https://stratfordtoday.ca/world-news/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system-13017633) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [haltonhillstoday.ca](https://haltonhillstoday.ca/world-news/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system-13017633) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Newmarket Today](https://newmarkettoday.ca/world-news/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system-13017633) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Sudbury](https://sudbury.com/world-news/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system-13017633) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [CambridgeToday.ca](https://cambridgetoday.ca/world-news/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system-13017633) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Beckley Register-Herald](https://register-herald.com/apnewsflow/nation/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system/article_62f1cd0c-c631-5b65-b24e-4b687584e52b.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Joplin Globe](https://joplinglobe.com/region/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system/article_ba0c866b-950d-5849-855c-c66905df9de2.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [The Washington Post](https://washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/11/14/alaska-election-ranked-choice-voting/998f1b62-dfea-11f1-912c-4fbb80d73f7f_story.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open ...
- [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/11/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system – WTOP News
- [Battlefords NOW](https://battlefordsnow.com/2026/11/13/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [meadowlakeNOW](https://meadowlakenow.com/2026/11/13/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [CFJC Today Kamloops](https://cfjctoday.com/2026/11/13/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Ckpg Today](https://ckpgtoday.ca/2026/11/13/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [WBAL](https://wbal.com/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries,
- [Anchorage Daily News](https://adn.com/politics/2026/11/13/a-large-and-growing-mandate-alaskans-vote-to-keep-ranked-choice-voting-and-open-primaries) — ‘A large and growing mandate’: Alaskans vote to keep ranked choice voting and open primaries
- [Cecil Daily](https://cecildaily.com/ap/nation/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system/article_40b4a370-f8e6-5064-a587-9703aee5c4d1.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [KHQ Right Now](https://khq.com/news/syndicated/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system/article_1ea15b46-fe55-5fdc-9869-db784fc873e4.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Hastings Tribune](https://hastingstribune.com/ap/state/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system/article_542e4852-6501-5ccb-bc50-951fb1f5ed77.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [WPLG](https://local10.com/news/2026/11/14/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/news/politics/2026/11/14/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [NBC News](https://nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/alaskans-opt-stick-ranked-choice-voting-rcna607641) — Alaskans opt to stick with ranked choice voting
- [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/11/14/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/news/world/united-states/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system/article_c3c5d18f-81a2-5b72-a00e-980abfcbc098.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer](https://messenger-inquirer.com/ap/elections/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system/article_714ee8d0-71fa-596e-81fa-6906f7a9dbea.html) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Durango Herald](https://durangoherald.com/articles/associated-press/alaska-voters-reject-ballot-measure-seeking-to-repeal-open-primaries-ranked-voting-system) — Alaska voters reject ballot measure seeking to repeal open primaries, ranked voting system
- [Rank the Vote](https://rankthevote.us/alaska-open-primaries-ranked-choice-voting-win-by-widest-margin-yet) — Alaska Open Primaries, Ranked Choice Voting Win by Widest Margin Yet

## Questions

**What was Ballot Measure 2?**

Ballot Measure 2 was an initiative in Alaska that sought to repeal the state's ranked-choice voting system and open primaries. It also aimed to repeal campaign finance rules that require disclosure of political donation sources.

**How did Alaska voters decide on Ballot Measure 2?**

Alaska voters rejected Ballot Measure 2. Unofficial results show 53.52 percent voted against the repeal of the ranked-choice voting system and open primaries, while 46.48 percent supported it.

**Is this the first time Alaska has voted on ranked-choice voting repeal?**

No, this is the second time in two years that Alaska voters have rejected an attempt to repeal the state's ranked-choice voting system. A similar measure in 2024 also failed.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/alaska-voters-reject-ranked-choice-voting-repeal. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Alaska voters reject ranked-choice voting repeal", https://mediabias.news/politics/alaska-voters-reject-ranked-choice-voting-repeal