Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho discusses ranked choice voting at a Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce weekly luncheon on June 30, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho discusses ranked choice voting at a Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce weekly luncheon on June 30, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Vote no Ballot Measure 2 and protect open primaries and protect our democracy

The focus of last week’s Juneau World Affairs Forum was the rise of authoritarianism in the 21st century. Our guest speakers noted the fertile ground that extreme polarization creates for authoritarian movements to thrive. When asked how we can individually and collectively counter these threats, our speaker from Connecticut commented that he thought Alaska was already showing the way: through open primaries and ranked choice voting. He’s on to something important with our elections system. It compels me to urge you to vote no on Ballot Measure 2.

Under Alaska’s system of open primaries any Alaskan voter, regardless of political affiliation, can cast a ballot for any candidate, also regardless of political affiliation, in the primary election. The top four candidates advance to the general election when voters may, but are not required to, rank their candidates in order of preference. If one candidate emerges with a majority of first place votes, that candidate is elected. If, however, no candidate achieves a majority, then the candidate with the fewest votes has his/her ballots redistributed to the second choice recorded on each ballot. This process continues until one candidate has a majority.

There are two general principles behind this system: First, all voters, not just those aligned with a particular party, should determine the field of candidates on the general election ballot. Second, candidates with the most support among voters should be elected. One consequence of these principles is that candidates are motivated to conduct civil campaigns, ones that appeal to a wider audience than strictly party-affiliated voters. These principles also encourage elected officials to work with all people and ideas to solve problems, rather than being limited to party-approved rhetoric — because they are accountable to the whole electorate rather than just the party faithful.

These principles were put to the test in 2022 in two compressed election cycles: a special election to replace Congressman Don Young and the regular election. Anecdotally, campaign conduct was much more civil. A much more diverse array of candidates sought office and were elected. Frictions seen in the immediately preceding legislatures (extended delays in organization, for example) were minimal and the legislative bodies worked well together. Open primaries and ranked choice voting do not guarantee these outcomes, but they’re off to a promising start.

Some have claimed that the open primary and ranked choice voting wrongly diminish the role of political parties. It is true that parties are no longer the exclusive gatekeepers of who may appear on the general election ballot. In my view, however, that’s an improvement — and not just for voters. It creates an opportunity for the parties to evolve and become better aligned with the public’s wishes. We can look forward to party conventions that strive to compose platforms that have broad appeal. Finally, one would be hard-put to argue that the parties are less-strenuously fighting for their candidates on the November 5 ballot than in past years. All of this points to a healthy democracy. Yet Ballot Measure 2 would abandon this progress and return us to closed primaries.

Let’s keep the open primary and ranked choice voting. Vote No on 2.

• Bruce Botelho is chair of Alaskans for Better Elections which opposes Ballot Measure 2. He is a former mayor of Juneau and Alaska attorney general.

More in Opinion

Web
Have something to say?

Here’s how to add your voice to the conversation.

President Donald Trump delivers remarks during the National Prayer Breakfast at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Feb. 6, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
Opinion: Dismantling the government. And the Bill of Rights

President Donald Trump has asked more than two million federal employees to… Continue reading

The waterfront area for Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed Aak’w Landing. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)
My Turn: Aak’w Landing offers growth opportunities amidst declines in Juneau

Juneau has two bright possibilities for economic development along the waterfront: the… Continue reading

A preliminary design of Huna Totem’s Aak’w Landing shows an idea for how the project’s Seawalk could connect with the city’s Seawalk at Gold Creek (left). (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: To make Juneau affordable, grow our economy

Based on the deluge of comments on social media, recent proposals by… Continue reading

The White House in Washington, Jan. 28, 2025. A federal judge said on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, that she intended to temporarily block the Trump administration from imposing a sweeping freeze on trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans, adding to the pushback against an effort by the White House’s Office and Management and Budget. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
My Turn: A plea for Alaska’s delegation to actively oppose political coup occurring in D.C.

An open letter to Alaska’s Congressional delegation: I am a 40-year resident… Continue reading

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) questions Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday morning, Jan. 14, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
Opinion: Sen. Sullivan doesn’t know the meaning of leadership

Last Wednesday, Sen. Dan Sullivan should have been prepared for questions about… Continue reading

Current facilities operated by the private nonprofit Gastineau Human Services Corp., which is seeking to add to its transitional housing in Juneau. (Gastineau Human Services Corp. photo)
Opinion: Housing shouldn’t be a political issue — it’s a human right

Alaska is facing a crisis — one that shouldn’t be up for… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: In the spirit of McKinley, a new name for Juneau

Here is a modest proposal for making Juneau great again. As we… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Protect the balance of democracy

We are a couple in our 70s with 45-plus years as residents… Continue reading

President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, following his inauguration as the 47th president. Legal experts said the president was testing the boundaries of executive power with aggressive orders designed to stop the country from transitioning to renewable energy. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
Opinion: Sen. McConnell, not God, made Trump’s retribution presidency possible

I’m not at all impressed by President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed… Continue reading

Juneau Assembly members confer with city administrative leaders during a break in an Assembly meeting Monday, Nov 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Community affordability takes a back seat to Assembly spending

Less than four months ago, Juneau voters approved a $10 million bond… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Informing the Public?

The recent Los Angeles area firestorms have created their own media circus… Continue reading