Lawsuit challenges Alaska's new ranked-choice voting ballot measure

The Alaskan Independence Party, its chairman and two Anchorage residents are suing the state of Alaska to overturn Ballot Measure 2, a sweeping election reform initiative that would install ranked-choice voting in Alaska’s general elections.

Their lawsuit, filed Tuesday, claims that the measure would violate the plaintiffs’ rights “to free political association, free speech, right to petition, right to due process” and other rights guaranteed by the Alaska and U.S. constitutions.

Filed against the state of Alaska and the Alaska Division of Elections, the lawsuit requests that the measure be nullified, that it not be used in future elections, and for “costs, damages, and attorney fees as may be appropriate.”

If plaintiffs win, Alaska would keep its existing elections system.

Attorney Ken Jacobus, also one of the plaintiffs, said he wrote the lawsuit broadly in hopes that other plaintiffs will join.

Read more: https://www.adn.com/politics/2020/12/01/lawsuit-challenges-alaskas-new-ranked-choice-voting-ballot-measure/
(Anchorage Daily News)