By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | November 2025
48,000 signatures submitted; local races and campaign rules hang in the balance
Alaska’s election system is back in the spotlight. A new petition seeking to repeal the state’s 2020 election reforms, including open primaries and ranked-choice voting (RCV) in general elections, has officially been submitted to the Alaska Division of Elections and could appear on the 2026 statewide ballot.
The campaign, led by the group Repeal Now, claims more than 48,000 signatures, surpassing the required 34,099 and the minimum of 30 House districts needed for certification. The Division of Elections will now verify the signaturesbefore the measure can proceed.
“Our petition reflects the strong and growing desire among voters across the state to restore a fair and straightforward election system that puts Alaska voters back in control,” said Judy Eledge, chair of Repeal Now.
Petition Signature Verification by House District
| House District (of 40) | Minimum Signatures Required* | Status: Met / Pending / Unknown | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| District 01 | ~7 % of votes in 2022 for that district (elections.alaska.gov) | Unknown | Specific district breakdown not publicly released |
| District 02 | Same as above | Unknown | — |
| … | … | … | … |
| At least 30 of 40 must meet requirement (law.justia.com) | — | Claims suggest > 48,000 total signatures submitted (adn.com) | Includes required geographic spread, but detailed breakdown by district not yet certified |
* Under Alaska law, signatures must equal at least 7% of the votes cast in the preceding general election in each participating House district and must be collected from at least 30 of 40 districts.
What Would Change
If approved, the repeal would:
- End the Top-Four Open Primary, returning party-specific primaries.
- Scrap Ranked-Choice Voting, returning to a simple plurality general election.
- Undo Campaign Finance and Transparency Rules, changing how contributions must be disclosed.
Campaign Cash and Legal Spotlight
Supporters of the current system have raised more than $12 million, including large out-of-state donations, while repeal proponents have raised about $120,000. Allegations that $90,000 was funneled through a church entity for the repeal campaign have triggered an investigation by Alaska’s election authorities. (AP News)
Major Campaign Donors
| Side of Ballot Measure | Major Donor / Organization | Approximate Contribution / Notes | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keep Current System (“No on Repeal”) | Article IV (Virginia) | Part of group raising > $12 million (alaskabeacon.com) | Out-of-state nonprofit |
| Unite America (Colorado) | Among top contributors to “No” side (alaskabeacon.com) | Non-profit advocacy | |
| Action Now Initiative LLC (Texas) | Included in “No” side list (alaskabeacon.com) | Out-of-state entity | |
| Repeal Effort (“Yes on Repeal”) | Phillip Izon II (Alaska) | Campaign raised about ~$120,000 (alaskabeacon.com) | Alaska-based signature-gatherer |
| Arthur Mathias & affiliates | Alleged about ~$90,000 funneled via church-affiliated group (alaskapublic.org) | Under investigation / fined for finance violations |
Local Implications: Mat-Su
For the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, a successful repeal could return party primaries and eliminate ranked-choice tabulations in general elections. Campaign strategy, voter turnout, and election reporting could all change, as candidates focus on simple plurality wins instead of appealing for second- and third-choice votes.
What’s Next
Once signatures are verified, the measure could appear on the 2026 ballot. Legal challenges may follow, but communities like Mat-Su will be watching closely. With prior repeal votes decided by razor-thin margins, the outcome could dramatically reshape how Alaskans elect their leaders.
“This is about more than just mechanics. It is about transparency, voter empowerment, and the future of elections in Alaska,” said one political analyst.
