Alaska Online Public Notices #24ESEG

Alaska Public Hearings on Ballot Measure to Repeal Ranked-Choice Voting and Open Primaries

The State of Alaska is holding public hearings on Ballot Measure No. 2, which proposes to repeal ranked-choice voting and open primaries, and return to partisan primaries and traditional general elections. - Ballot Measure No. 2 (initiative 24ESEG) would: - Repeal the nonpartisan, open top-four primary and ranked-choice general election system - Reinstate partisan political primaries - Change how election boards and the Alaska Public Offices Commission are appointed - Reintroduce special runoff elections - Amend campaign finance and independent expenditure group requirements - The Division of Elections estimates over $2.6 million in costs for implementation, including: - Voter education and public outreach - Language assistance and translation - Administrative changes and regulatory updates - Programming changes to online filing systems - Temporary staff for petition review and certification - No specific OEMs or commercial vendors are involved, as this is a legislative and procedural initiative - Public hearings will include statements from both supporters and opponents, followed by public testimony - Key impacts include changes to campaign finance disclosure, election procedures, and party control over primaries, with potential effects on unaffiliated voter participation

Description

This initiative seeks to repeal the nonpartisan and open top four primary election system and ranked-choice general election system, and to reestablish a partisan political primary with related appointment procedures, special runoff elections, and repeal certain campaign finance laws. The Office of the Lt. Governor and Division of Elections have scheduled public hearings for Ballot Measure No. 2, which is set to appear on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot. The hearings will include statements of support and opposition, followed by public testimony. The initiative also involves changes to campaign finance disclosure requirements and election procedures.

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