Vote No on 2 – Two Alaskans who don’t agree on much agree on this

Brett Huber and I do not see eye to eye on almost anything. He is a Republican. I am a Democrat. He ran Mike Dunleavy’s campaign for governor. I ran Mark Begich’s. But we do agree, Ballot Measure 2 would be a disaster for Alaska.

The other side claims the “No” campaign, Defend Alaska Elections, is backed by political operatives and party bosses, but Brett and I are regular Alaskans who care about voting and want our votes to count. Don’t let them scare you. Unlike their multimillion-dollar dark money campaign that draws 99.7% of its funding from outside of Alaska and billionaires, Defend Alaska Elections has raised 70% of its donations from right here in the Last Frontier.

Ironically, these same billionaires promise their ballot scheme will rid elections of dark money. Though Brett and I agree there is too much money in politics, this claim from the “Yes” campaign is a flat-out lie. As written, ballot measures are exempted from the dark-money ban despite being the primary source of outside dark money in Alaska. They want to rewrite the rules for everyone but themselves. Yes, we need a national conversation that looks holistically at how we fund campaigns, but this ballot measure is not the way to do it.

Ballot Measure 2 would also institute ranked-choice voting and open primaries. And although these may seem like simple, common-sense approaches to election reform, they are just as flawed.

Contrary to what we are hearing, ranked-choice voting will force you to vote for candidates you don’t support or risk your ballot not being counted. Should you fail to correctly fill out a complicated bubble chart, your ballot could be thrown out. That’s not how democracy works. I take my time researching candidates and want their values to align with mine — I don’t want to rank my options and end up voting for second, third or fourth best. My vote is my voice and I want to use it clearly.

Finally, Ballot Measure 2 would open Alaska primaries to one open jungle primary. Areas all over the state that lean heavy Republican or heavy Democrat could see candidates of only one political ilk on the general ballot. Independents would have it worse, losing their ability to petition onto the general ballot. This doesn’t create more choice, it limits them.  This could discourage people from voting and limit the ability of voters to send a diversity of thought to Juneau.

Brett and I may vote in opposition most of the time, but we are happy to come together to help protect Alaska elections. We know the importance of voting and ensuring Alaskans have a fair say in who represents them in Juneau. Ballot Measure 2 takes away our choice and our voice. Please join us and vote no on Ballot Measure 2.

Nora Morse is a lifelong Alaskan living in Anchorage.

Brett Huber is a 36-year Alaskan residing in Anchorage and campaign manager for Defend Alaska Elections, Vote No on 2.

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Ostrich Alaska
3 years ago

This opinion piece (a) understands irony in the same way Alanis Morissette’s song does, (b) thinks Alaskans are too stupid (or reveals its authors to be afraid they’re too stupid?) to fill out bubbles ranking their choices in order of preference, and (c) does nothing to dispel the notion that the opposition to BM2 is the traditional political operatives and party bosses. But that just, like, my opinion, man.

Last edited 3 years ago by Ostrich Alaska
BooHoo
3 years ago
Reply to  Ostrich Alaska

Obviously, your head is in the sand on this one Ostrich. Every vote should count and it shouldn’t be a complicated ballot to fill out and no, it’s not saying people are stupid at all, it’s really about clarity on paper. Why over-complicate the voting process when there are so many disenfranchised voters to begin with, on top of the mistrust that exists with outside funders? Additionally, ranked voting creates a situation where even the least popular candidate could technically win an election — it’s a ridiculous voting method that defies “one person, one vote” and forces people to vote… Read more »

Shazbot
3 years ago
Reply to  BooHoo

As a regular voter I am insulted by your inference that B2 would “over complicate” the voting. The concept couldn’t be more straightforward. Additionally, the argument that the least popular candidate would win is bogus. The real concern from the vote no ok 2 crowd is that it takes power away from the 2 party system. Considering the shit show we’ve endured for the last decade I’m all for it.

BooHoo
3 years ago
Reply to  Shazbot

Here’s a clue for you Bot… If you need a computer to calculate voting results for votes cast using ranked choice voting ballots… it’s too complicated. It’s not about a two-party system really… it’s about messing with our voting process that is fine the way that it is.

Klownman
3 years ago

Then the two of you will go back to badmouthing each other like normal times when this is over and you hold on to your partisan power 🤡

Last edited 3 years ago by Klownman