Democracy + Elections
Idaho Has a Spoiler Problem
Closed primaries exclude voters, encourage divisive behavior, and can subvert the will of Idahoans.
What’s Different in Alaska Since Election Laws Changed
How Alaskans have responded to nonpartisan open primaries and ranked choice voting.
Montana’s Plurality Problem
Political gamesmanship and the spoiler effect prevent majority winners in some of the Treasure State’s most impactful elections.
Despite Candidate Dropouts, Alaska Elections Are Becoming More Competitive
A dozen candidates removed themselves from 2024’s general election, but voters still have plenty to choose from.
Ranked Choice Voting Already Passed Its First Test in Oregon
Benton County and Corvallis transitioned smoothly to the revised method.
A Guide to Alaska’s November 2024 Election
Ranked choice voting for president and other offices, plus deciding on whether to keep open primaries and ranked choice voting.
An “Incredible Explosion in Participation”
Democracy Vouchers have fast unlocked a much larger, more diverse group of political donors, says scholar Jennifer Heerwig, who will speak at Town Hall Seattle on October 17.
Open Primaries and Ranked Choice Voting Strengthened Moderate Republicans in Alaska’s Legislature
Fewer hardliners won office, leading to an overwhelmingly bipartisan Senate majority, a hard-fought win on education funding, and the ability to neutralize culture warriors.
Maine’s Lessons in Ranked Choice Voting
The state’s groundbreaking statewide use of ranked choice voting is a positive model.
