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They call Alaska “The Last Frontier.” Now, it’s at the forefront of the American story: government “of, by, and for” the people — thanks to a new election model that will fully deliver it.

Though outcomes of elections are typically judged by who wins and loses, it’s essential to consider the ways in which electoral reform like Alaska’s changes how we elect leaders — from the perspectives of voters, candidates, and election administrators — and how it changes the incentives those leaders face for the better.

Alaska’s model is the first of its kind: a top-four nonpartisan primary, in which all eligible voters can participate, and a ranked choice general election that gives voters more power. Here are four things about Wednesday’s election results in Alaska and related reform efforts across the country to consider over the long Labor Day weekend:

More voters had a true influence on the outcomes

Regardless of the outcome, the bottom line is this: From now on, the winners of Alaska elections are accountable to all voters, instead of a very few. And that means better representation and marks a large step forward for democracy. Primaries under the state’s previous system were often limited to registered partisans, barring over 60% of the voter population that isn’t registered with one of the two major parties. This year, primary turnout reached the third-highest in state history (over 32% of registered voters), and it far surpasses the current 18% average turnout in primaries nationally. 

Alaskans not only find RCV simple but they LIKE nonpartisan primaries

For anyone who doubts voters’ ability to understand ranked choice voting, new data should (further) quell concerns — thanks largely to voter education and sound election administration. A new poll from Patinkin Research Strategies performed for Alaskans for Better Elections found that 95% of voters received information on how to complete their RCV ballot — and 85% of Alaska voters across demographic lines said it was “simple” to fill out their ranked choice ballot.

Check out our latest blog on four election takeaways to learn more. 

Ten ballot measures on RCV to come this November

The implementation of sweeping election reform in Alaska was momentous — but it’s just a sneak peek of what can and should come for the country. Efforts to expand election reform are in full swing all across the nation. Voters will be weighing in on ballot measures in Nevada and in nine other cities and counties regarding whether to implement RCV in future elections. This marks the highest number of RCV measures ever in one year. Read more about the similarities between the Nevada proposal and Alaska’s model here.

Join us in congratulating RepresentUs on their decade of tremendous work

This week we congratulate one of our longtime allies in the democracy reform movement, RepresentUs, as it recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. Over the last decade, RepresentUs has seen dozens of victories across the nation, which include 37 RCV wins nationally and 15 redistricting reform wins.

Check out their amazing digital report detailing their 10 years of impactful reform.

Alana
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Alana Persson
Unite America

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