Three Elections, Same Answer: Alaskans Want Open Primaries

Alaska voters have once again rejected a ballot measure that would have repealed the state’s historic open primary election system. Ballot Measure 2, which is currently losing by nearly five percentage points, would have repealed the entirety of the reform Alaskans approved in 2020: the top-four open, all-candidate primary, ranked choice voting general election, and dark money disclosure requirements. 

Nick Troiano, executive director of Unite America, issued the following statement celebrating the victory:

“For the third time, Alaskans of all political stripes have spoken: They want the freedom to vote for any candidate, regardless of party, in every taxpayer-funded election. And they want to know who is funding political campaigns in the state.

In just a few years, Alaska’s open primary system has delivered more competitive elections, more choices for voters, and winners who earn majority support. Bipartisan governing majorities have worked across party lines on issues important to Alaskans, including historic investments in education.

At a time when most general elections across the country are essentially coronations, the Last Frontier is showing that a better way is possible. It is time to honor the voters’ decision and move forward.”

Background information

In 2020, Alaska voters approved Measure 2, which replaced the state’s party primary system with a top-four open, all-candidate primary; implemented ranked choice voting in the general election; and imposed disclosure requirements on dark money. Measure 2 passed by a little over one percentage point — fewer than 4,000 votes.

In 2024, voters defeated the first repeal attempt by a narrower margin: 737 votes. That ballot measure sought to repeal two of the components of the original reform: the all-candidate primary and ranked choice voting provisions. 

This year, with the backing of billionaires Elon Musk and Jeff Yass, Measure 2 was back on the ballot.

Since 2019, Unite America has been an investor in the cross-partisan Alaskan coalition that has passed, implemented and defended Alaska’s open primary system.

Impact of Alaska’s open primary elections

A Unite America Institute analysis of the 2026 elections found that the system continues to produce greater participation, competition and choice:

• Strong primary participation: 166,992 Alaskans voted in the 2026 primary—just over 31% of the voting-eligible population and nearly 60,000 more voters than in 2024. That easily exceeded the roughly 20% turnout typical of midterm party primaries nationwide.
• More candidates and fewer uncontested races: 117 candidates ran for 50 state legislative seats, up from 104 in 2024. The share of races with at least 3 candidates increased from 26% to 38%, while the share of unopposed races fell from 22% to 16%.
• More competition and broader choices in November: All three statewide contests advanced four candidates to the general election. Fourteen of 50 legislative races, or 28%, featured same-party matchups, ensuring competition continued even where one party dominated. Twenty-seven independents ran for the legislature, nearly twice as many as in 2024.
• More representative and functional government: Since the system took effect, bipartisan governing majorities have formed in both chambers of the Alaska Legislature. Those coalitions have encouraged lawmakers to work across party lines and build broader agreement on issues important to Alaskans.

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Unite America is a philanthropic venture fund that invests in nonpartisan election reform to foster a more representative and functional government.

‍For More Information: Ross Sherman, Unite America Press Director, ross@uniteamerica.org, 207-749-2660