Letters to the Editor

Letter: Keep ranked choice voting

If you are a voter who likes to choose a candidate who has the same values as you do and wants to help Alaska grow and prosper, please consider voting no on Proposition 2. This will keep in place the open primary system we have now and let us do ranked choice voting in our general election. An open primary system allows all voters to vote for any candidate that has filed for office. We do not have to be affiliated with any party to vote on this ballot, and it gives us, the voters, a chance to pick those candidates we think will represent us the best. With a closed primary system, we must vote for the people the party presents to us and we must be registered party members to vote on that ballot. Why do we need to put someone between us and the people who want to hold office to represent us?

Ranked choice voting gives us the four highest vote-getters in the primary election to rate according to our judgment on how they can best serve us as our government representatives. This system picks the highest vote-getter and eliminates the need for a run-off election.

FairVote, a nonpartisan organization working for better elections for all, has studied elections, and the new study reveals runoffs are consistently expensive, uncompetitive, and yield low turnout. The system we have in place now will offer voters a better opportunity to pick people who will do the work of governing and help us move forward in our community life.

— Mindee Morning

Kenai

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