Alaska Legislature to Hold Public Hearing on Voter Initiatives

Sponsors of three ballot measures and a group supporting current voting system to testify

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:56pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring overlapping, fractured shapes and waves of blue, grey, and green, conceptually representing the complex and evolving nature of Alaska's election system.Proposed changes to Alaska's election laws spark debate ahead of November ballot initiatives.Anchorage Today

The Alaska Legislature will hold a public hearing on Thursday afternoon to discuss three election-related ballot initiatives that will be on the state's November ballot. The sponsors of the ballot measures and a group supporting Alaska's current voting system are scheduled to testify at the hearing, which will be streamed online.

Why it matters

These ballot initiatives, if passed, would make significant changes to Alaska's campaign finance laws and election system, including repealing the state's open top four primary and ranked-choice general election. The public hearing provides an opportunity for Alaskans to learn more about the proposed changes and voice their opinions.

The details

The first ballot measure, 23RCF2, seeks to increase limits on campaign contributions to state and local office campaigns. The second measure, 24ESEG, aims to repeal the state's open top four primary and ranked-choice general election system and make other changes to election laws. The third measure, 25USCV, would require that only U.S. citizens can vote in Alaska elections, though the state constitution and current law already have this requirement.

  • The public hearing will be held on Thursday, April 15, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.
  • The hearing will be streamed online at akl.tv and ktoo.org/gavel/.

The players

Bruce Botelho

Former Alaska attorney general and former Juneau Mayor, sponsor of Ballot Measure 23RCF2.

David Monson

Trail Breaker Kennel owner, sponsor of Ballot Measure 23RCF2.

Calvin Schrage

Representative, I-Anchorage, sponsor of Ballot Measure 23RCF2.

Ken McCarty

Former Anchorage Republican Representative, sponsor of Ballot Measure 24ESEG.

Judy Eledge

Former Anchorage Public Library deputy director, sponsor of Ballot Measure 24ESEG.

Bernadette Wilson

Republican gubernatorial candidate, sponsor of Ballot Measure 24ESEG.

John B. Coghill Jr.

Former Fairbanks Republican Senator, sponsor of Ballot Measure 25USCV.

Charles Michael Chenault

Former Nikiski Republican Representative, sponsor of Ballot Measure 25USCV.

Joshua Revak

Former Anchorage Republican Senator, sponsor of Ballot Measure 25USCV.

Protect Alaska's Elections

A group supporting Alaska's current voting system, scheduled to testify in opposition to the repeal of ranked choice voting.

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What they’re saying

“to defend dark money disclosure, open primaries, and ranked choice voting from repeal.”

— Protect Alaska's Elections

What’s next

The Alaska Legislature will hold a second public hearing on the ballot initiatives at a later date, as required by state law.

The takeaway

These ballot initiatives, if passed, would make significant changes to Alaska's campaign finance laws and election system. The public hearing provides an opportunity for Alaskans to learn more about the proposed changes and voice their opinions before the November election.