Ranked-Choice Voting Takes Center Stage in US Elections Amidst Alaska's Unique Senate Race

A voter is shown filling out a ranked-choice ballot to select the mayor of Portland, Oregon, on November 5, 2024, in a photo by Jenny Kane/AP. In Alaska, a developing controversy surrounds whether two Senate candidates with nearly identical names will inadvertently cancel each other out. This situation has brought to the forefront a voting method less common in the United States: "ranked-choice voting." Currently, only Alaska and Maine utilize ranked-choice voting statewide, although major cities like New York have also adopted the practice. Ranked-choice ballots enable voters to rank candidates according to their preference, rather than selecting just one. If a voter's top choice does not secure a majority, their vote can be transferred to their second preference. With the US midterm elections approaching on November 3, ranked-choice voting may influence closely contested races, including the pivotal Alaska Senate battle.

Benefits of Ranked-Choice Voting: Proponents argue that ranked-choice voting liberates voters from the constraint of pragmatic voting, eliminating the need to choose based on a candidate's perceived electability. Instead, supporters contend that it allows individuals to support their most preferred candidate without the concern of their vote being 'wasted' if that candidate is not widely supported. Advocates also highlight that this system mitigates the 'spoiler effect,' where third-party or less prominent candidates can siphon votes from similar major-party candidates. Furthermore, they view it as beneficial for democracy by encouraging a wider range of viewpoints to participate in elections and incentivizing candidates to collaborate.

Downsides of Ranked-Choice Voting: Critics express concerns that ranked-choice ballots complicate the voting and vote-counting processes. They also fear it could lead to delays in election result tabulation, potentially eroding confidence in the outcomes. A 2025 study published in the journal Political Behavior indicated that approximately 4.8 percent of ranked-choice ballots were 'improperly marked,' although the study clarified that not all such ballots are invalidated.

How Ranked-Choice Voting Works: Voters using a ranked-choice ballot number their candidates in order of preference. If their first choice does not win, their vote automatically counts towards their next choice. If a candidate garners over 50 percent of the first-choice votes, they win. If no candidate achieves a majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. The ballots cast for the eliminated candidate are then redistributed based on voters' subsequent ranked choices, and the votes are tallied again. This process continues until a candidate secures a majority of the remaining votes. However, if a voter ranks only one candidate and that candidate is eliminated, their ballot cannot be transferred. Unlike traditional runoff elections that require voters to cast ballots again, ranked-choice voting can determine a winner through successive counting rounds within a single election.

Why Alaska and Maine Use Ranked-Choice Voting: Maine implemented ranked-choice voting in 2016 following concerns about candidates winning elections without majority support, first using the system in congressional elections in 2018. Alaska voters approved the system via a 2020 ballot initiative. The state employs open primaries where all candidates compete, with the top four advancing to a general election decided by ranked-choice voting.

Impact on Alaska's Senate Race: Alaska's ranked-choice voting system is poised to face scrutiny in the current Senate race, which features two candidates named Dan Sullivan. The potential for voter confusion raises questions about whether some voters might mistakenly rank the incorrect candidate, potentially influencing the distribution of votes in subsequent counting rounds. State officials have implemented measures to distinguish between the two Sullivans on the ballot. The incumbent, Senator Dan S Sullivan, is identified as a registered Republican and the incumbent, while his challenger, retired teacher Daniel J Sullivan Jr, has no party affiliation listed. Nevertheless, the teacher's candidacy has become a source of ongoing controversy, particularly after a New York Times report suggested he might have been recruited by Democrats as a spoiler. Republicans have voiced concerns that the presence of two Sullivans could confuse voters and divert support from the incumbent senator. The teacher, however, maintains his candidacy is genuine. In June, the Alaska Supreme Court permitted the election to proceed with both Sullivans participating. Despite this, the controversy has prompted US President Donald Trump to file a lawsuit against Alaska, seeking to prevent the certification of the Senate election results if the incumbent Dan S Sullivan loses. The lawsuit contends that confusion over the candidates' names could sway the outcome, a claim that Alaska officials and Democrats are contesting. Given that election administration falls under state jurisdiction according to the US Constitution, the lawsuit has sparked concerns about potential federal interference in Alaska's vote count.

Other States Considering Ranked-Choice Voting: Ranked-choice voting is currently employed in various local elections across the nation, including in New York City and San Francisco. Hawaii utilizes it for specific special elections, and Washington, DC, adopted it for federal and local elections starting in 2026. Earlier this year, Virginia passed legislation expanding the use of ranked-choice voting. However, the system faces opposition in some states, with an estimated 19 states having laws that prohibit or restrict ranked-choice voting, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.