The idea that ranked choice voting (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.<\/p>\n
The “pick one” primary and ranked choice voting 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.<\/p>\n
Ranked choice voting was born out of a dysfunctional system. 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.<\/p>\n
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. Alaska Native voters fall across the entire spectrum, but many of us mingle in the middle.<\/p>\n
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 government by creating a lane that allows politicians to become public servants — in service of all Alaskans.<\/p>\n
I am voting no on 2 because I have hope and the next generation deserves the best from us.<\/p>\n
Joe Nelson (Kaaxúxgu)<\/p>\n
Co-chair, Alaska Federation of Natives<\/p>\n
Juneau<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The idea that ranked choice voting (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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1129,"featured_media":113287,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,8],"tags":[568,329,106],"class_list":["post-113286","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-letters","category-opinion","tag-column","tag-elections","tag-opinion"],"yoast_head":"\n