It might take days before we know Alaska’s Senate race’s result. It won’t depend on either Sullivan Jr. or Heikes, experts say.

Alaskans are once again considering the repeal of their ranked-choice voting system, which was approved by voters in 2020 and narrowly avoided being overturned in 2024. The current debate centers on whether to eliminate the system, which allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. Proponents, including state Republican leaders and President Trump, argue that the system confuses voters. Opponents counter that repealing it would diminish voter power. Under the ranked-choice system, Alaskans participate in an open primary where candidates from all parties compete on a single ballot. The top four candidates advance to the general election, where voters rank their preferences. If no candidate secures a majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed according to voters' second choices. This process continues until a candidate achieves a majority. The system has come under scrutiny in the current Senate race, where two candidates named Dan Sullivan are on the ballot: Republican incumbent Dan S. Sullivan and Democratic challenger Mary Peltola, alongside Dan J. Sullivan Jr., a retired schoolteacher. The Justice Department has sued Alaska, alleging potential voter confusion due to the similar names. The repeal effort has gained traction as part of broader political discussions surrounding election integrity and voter accessibility. The outcome of this vote will determine whether Alaska continues to use a system designed to foster broader political participation or reverts to a traditional first-past-the-post model. The debate reflects ongoing national conversations about electoral reform and the balance between simplicity and inclusivity in voting systems.

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