Alaska conservatives are once again questioning the state’s current primary structure. In a recent opinion column, Miles Garrod argues that the open “blanket” primary adopted in 1992 and the newer ranked‑choice voting system have prevented the state from consistently delivering a solidly Republican delegation to Washington.

Historical context and the case for a closed primary

Garrod notes that before 1992 Alaska used an open primary that allowed any voter, regardless of party affiliation, to select a party’s nominee. The shift to a closed primary was intended to give the Republican Party greater control over its ticket, but the change came only thirty years ago. He points to the era of Senator Ted Stevens and Representative Don Young as a time when Alaska reliably sent “federal pork hounds” to Congress, a period he describes as more aligned with conservative values.

Ranked‑choice voting and its perceived impact

The writer contends that the adoption of ranked‑choice voting has further diluted the Republican vote, allowing “culturally agnostic, pro‑development” candidates to win with pluralities rather than majorities. He cites the 2008 Senate race between Stevens and Mark Begich as an example of how delayed ballot counting can create uncertainty and undermine confidence in the outcome.

Proposed reforms

Garrod proposes two specific changes that could garner broad support among Alaskans:

• Move the mailed‑ballot deadline two weeks before Election Day. This would give election officials ample time to count all votes and conduct any necessary run‑off tabulations on the day of the election, reducing the lag that has historically plagued Alaska’s contests.
• Reinstate the former candidate signature requirement. By requiring prospective candidates to gather a minimum number of signatures, the state could weed out “unserious ballot packers” and ensure that only viable contenders appear on the ballot. Garrod also suggests a mechanism that would automatically drop any candidate receiving less than five percent of the vote in the open primary, rather than simply advancing the top four.

Education and outreach

The author stresses the need for the Alaska Republican Party to educate voters who are confused by the ranking system. He argues that Alaskans are capable of navigating complex hunting regulations, retirement investments, and fantasy‑football leagues, and therefore should be able to understand the mechanics of ranked‑choice voting. Garrod warns that without clear communication, key races—such as the upcoming Senate contest involving Senator Lisa Murkowski—could be jeopardized.

Conclusion

While acknowledging that the state will not become “redder” than its electorate, Garrod calls for a pragmatic approach: use electoral reforms to give conservatives a clearer path to victory, then focus on winning hearts and minds through traditional, values‑based campaigning. The piece ends with a reminder that the ultimate goal is to preserve Alaska’s conservative heritage while ensuring fair and efficient elections.

Original reporting: Must Read Alaska (Anchorage) — read the source article.