Ranked-choice voting puts voters, not parties, first

The state’s first foray into the “instant runoff” or “ranked-choice voting” system is behind us. Ahead lies the November general election, where all races – not just the single one like in August – will be run under the new rules.There has been much, largely partisan, largely far-right grousing about the new system, which has been under attack from the time voters approved it. Perhaps the most often articulated complaint has been that the new system is too complicated. But post-primary polling conducted in late August by Alaskans for Better Elections, the same group that advocated for ranked-choice voting, blew the roof off this notion and revealed even greater voter support for the system than the 2020 ballot measure had received.

To be sure, I was skeptical when I first read about ABE’s poll results. I assumed the questions were leading and designed to get to a specific outcome. Instead, the question that resulted in a whopping 85 percent of respondents saying they found ranked-choice voting to be “simple” had the following straightforward verbiage: “In your opinion, how simple or difficult was it for you to fill out your Ranked Choice Voting ballot?”

Of the 85 percent who found it uncomplicated, 57 percent described ranked-choice voting as “very simple”, with an additional 28 percent saying it was “somewhat simple”. Conversely, just 9 percent called it “somewhat difficult” and another 6 percent said it was “very difficult”.

Strong majority support for the new system was also revealed in responses to the question “Do you favor or oppose an open, nonpartisan primary where all candidates appear on one ballot?” A full 62 percent of respondents said they favor the new system, with 33 percent opposed, and 4 percent saying they were undecided.

Jason Grenn, executive director of Alaskans for Better Elections, and a former independent legislator from Anchorage, called the poll results a testament to the hard work of the Division of Elections and many organizations across the state.

“These are fantastic numbers. They really reflect the willingness of Alaskans to learn about our new system and understand the benefits,” Grenn said in an Aug. 30 press release. “We will continue to work with our fellow Alaskans to ensure these reforms are seen for what they are – nonpartisan, simple, and meant to put voters first.”

Another oft-repeated complaint from the hyperpartisan fringe – that people didn’t know what they were voting for when they approved the ballot measure that brought us ranked-choice voting – also seems to be eviscerated by this polling. That this complaint was voiced by elected people is especially offensive, considering the elitism that’s built into it.It’s been surprising to me to hear the ease and arrogance with which elected folks like Wasilla Sen. Mike Shower have beat the drum of opposition to something that voters approved, while simultaneously implying that voters are too stupid to know what’s good for them. An attitude like that might explain why Shower wound up on the business end of a 700-vote thumping in the August balloting.

Other polling data:

• 95 percent of Alaskans reported receiving instructions on how to rank their choices;

• A supermajority of voters – 66 percent – ranked multiple candidates on their ballots;

• Just 28 percent of voters surveyed ranked three candidates.

• Another 38 percent ranked two candidates.

• 33 percent ranked just one candidate.

• Of the 33 percent of voters who only voted for one candidate, 75 percent reported the reason was “that was the only candidate I liked.”

The poll was conducted from Aug. 18-24. It was completed by 1,200 registered voters from around the state who reported participating in the regular primary and special general election.

Lastly, lest anyone think the poll did not sample a sufficient cross-sample of voters, of the 1,200 respondents, Republicans comprised nearly 34 percent, while Democrats made up 15.6 percent. Nonpartisan voters were 19 percent of the sample, and undeclared voters weighed in at 26 percent.

One election and one poll hardly amount to a final word. But it’s worth noting that voter sentiment in the immediate aftermath of the first election under ranked-choice voting shows nothing close to the sky-is-falling panic among the clear minority who don’t like the system.That’s definitely something to keep in mind as November voting approaches with its buffet of candidates who are on record as saying they will work to overturn the will of voters regarding ranked-choice voting if they are elected.Election day is Nov. 8. Absentee and early in-person voting begin Oct. 24. Lots of options for busy people, and no excuse to not let your voice be heard.

Mark Kelsey is a retired journalist who lives in Wasilla.