OPINION: Open primaries and ranked choice voting reflect Alaskans’ spirit

The “pick one” primary and ranked choice voting (RCV) general election are a reflection of Alaska’s independent spirit. The largest party of registered voters in Alaska is the “non-party” – the commonsense, no-nonsense group sandwiched between the two main parties.

It is no surprise that the ranked choice voting ballot measure passed in 2020. Voter apathy and disillusionment with the political system did not begin as a result of ranked choice voting. Ranked choice voting was born out of a dysfunctional system.

The idea that RCV is confusing is a red herring. The single, nonpartisan ballot is clean, simple and fair. When the list of names for one seat gets into double digits on a primary ballot, it isn’t pretty — but it is fair.

If anything has been driving down civic engagement and voter participation, it is the divisive rhetoric and ineffectiveness of our governing bodies. The open primary helps level the playing field and temper the partisan antics.

One in five Alaskans are Alaska Native. Most of us are being asked to vote all the time, especially when local and regional tribal and corporate elections are factored in. Navigating ballots and proxies is a way of life. Our Alaska Native entities require so many elected officials that we don’t have enough candidates willing to make the jump to public service. Hopefully, ranked choice will help change that equation. Alaska Native voters fall across the entire spectrum, but many of us mingle in the middle.

Common sense and good government can prevail with the help of RCV. Given the polarization in the country, Alaskans cannot afford to merely preserve the nonpartisan RCV model; we have an obligation to lead a movement. Ranked choice will help restore confidence in our electoral system by creating a lane that allows politicians to become public servants — in service of all Alaskans.

Joe Nelson serves as chairman of Sealaska and is a co-chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives.

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