Analysis of Alaska’s Open Primary and Ranked Choice System

Sightline Institute conducted this analysis of Alaska’s voting system. Key findings:

  • In 2022, Alaska held its first elections with open primaries and ranked choice voting. 
  •  Sightline analyzed the diversity of Alaska legislative classes from 2008 to 2022 in four areas: political party, age, gender, and race. 
  •  Independent candidates clearly benefitted the most from rules that put them on a level playing field with major party candidates, winning more representation than ever before. 
  •  Other groups—younger candidates, women candidates, and candidates of color—either gained seats or held onto previous gains, most likely due to demographic change and other factors. 
  •  Overall, the system didn’t change the fact that Republicans still hold the most political sway in Juneau.
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