Opinion: Do Not Trade a Full Ballot for a Party Gatekeeper

Ranked choice voting reflects how people actually think, while closed primaries force voters into rigid partisan boxes.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:12am

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A photorealistic painting of an empty voting booth set against a warm, sunlit backdrop, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the individual's role in the democratic process.In an era of partisan gridlock, the simple act of voting becomes a solitary, reflective moment as citizens navigate the complexities of the electoral process.Anchorage Today

In this opinion piece, the author argues that ranked choice voting is a more democratic system than closed primaries, which restrict voter choice and force people to identify with one political party. The author contends that the closed primary system manipulates the voting process to ensure only partisan-selected candidates make it to the general election, effectively shrinking voters' choices.

Why it matters

This op-ed touches on the ongoing debate around voting systems and the role of political parties in the electoral process. The author believes that closed primaries defeat the "wise and sensible will of the people" by tightening the control of political parties over candidate selection, which can lead to voter apathy and a lack of genuine choice in the general election.

The details

The author uses the example of ranked choice voting to illustrate a more democratic system, where voters can rank candidates in order of preference rather than being forced to choose between two party-selected options. They argue that this better reflects how people actually think about their voting choices. In contrast, the author sees closed primaries as restricting voter freedom by only allowing registered party members to participate, effectively disenfranchising independent and unaffiliated voters.

  • The op-ed was published on April 3, 2026.

The players

Scott Justesen

A commercial pilot in Fairbanks, Alaska who has lived in the state for more than 15 years and previously served in the Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG) and the Reserve Army Medical Corps, including a year-long deployment to Iraq.

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What they’re saying

“Behold the beauty and simplicity of ranked choice voting: 1. Here are the candidates (list of names) 2. Rank your favorites first to last 3. Done”

— Scott Justesen, Author

“If we allow people to vote according to their preference with the full list of everyone running, we have a beautifully democratic process. In the ranked choice system, all voters see all candidates and vote naturally according to conscience and preference.”

— Scott Justesen, Author

What’s next

The author does not mention any specific next steps, as this is an opinion piece arguing against closed primaries and in favor of more open and democratic voting systems like ranked choice voting.

The takeaway

This op-ed highlights the ongoing debate around voting systems and the role of political parties, with the author contending that closed primaries undermine true democratic choice by forcing voters into rigid partisan boxes. The piece advocates for more open and flexible voting methods like ranked choice that better reflect the nuanced preferences of the electorate.