Alaska Journalist: Democrat Didn't Need New Voting System To Win

Mary Peltola would have won her stunning upset even without ranked-choice voting

Democratic Rep-elect Mary Peltola stunned the nation Wednesday night, when she was declared the winner in an election for Alaska's at-large congressional seat, which had not seen a Democrat in the seat since 1972.

Peltola's victory was announced Wednesday, weeks after the special election took place to succeed the late Republican Rep Don Young, who died earlier this year after serving as the state's lone congressman since 1973.

She defeated former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

And it was the first election Alaska carried out since the state's voters adopted the system known as “ranked-choice voting.”

Newscenter 11 @KTVF11

Democrat Mary Peltola elected U.S. Representative in Alaska’s first ranked-choice election

webcenterfairbanks.comDemocrat Mary Peltola elected U.S. Representative in Alaska’s first ranked-choice electionMary Peltola has emerged as the winner in Alaska’s first ranked choice election.

Under ranked-choice, voters select both a first and second choice on the ballot. If their first-choice candidate is knocked out, their votes are distributed to their desired second choice.

Alaska Beacon reporter James Brooks posted to social media a chart illustrating the distribution of votes among Peltola, Palin, and the other Republican in the race, Nick Begich.

James Brooks 🗞️ @AK_OK

I've added a chart showing the preliminary distribution of votes. #akleg #akelect

Alaska Beacon @AlaskaBeacon

Peltola wins U.S. House race, first woman and Alaska Native to represent Alaska in House, the Alaska Beacon's James Brooks (@AK_OK) reports: https://t.co/2Zk19MVBYa

Anchorage Daily News reporter Sean Maguire reported on what the scene was like at Palin's headquarters as the results against her came in.

Sean Maguire @SeanBMaguire

At Sarah Palin’s campaign headquarters there was confusion and then anger when the results were announced. She railed against ranked choice voting, called on Nick Begich to drop out and said the fight is just getting started

“At Sarah Palin’s campaign headquarters there was confusion and then anger when the results were announced. She railed against ranked choice voting, called on Nick Begich to drop out and said the fight is just getting started,” Maguire tweeted.

However, despite the debut of the novel voting system, it played no part in the outcome of the election, according to Liz Ruskin, Washington DC correspondent for Alaska Public Media.

Liz Ruskin-AK public radio reporter @lruskin

@gomer2323 @akdoggie @AKNewsNow When Palin says she would’ve won if it were winner take all, I think she was the top vote-getter in the open primary. In the general, Peltola was ahead on 1st choice ballots and remained ahead

“When Palin says she would’ve won if it were winner take all, I think she was the top vote-getter in the open primary. In the general, Peltola was ahead on 1st choice ballots and remained ahead,” she tweeted.

Ruskin added, “If you voted Peltola (or Palin) as your No. 1., whatever you put for No. 2 did not affect the results. Your ballot went to Peltola (or Palin) and stayed there. The only votes that were redistributed were the ones that had Write-In or Begich as their No. 1.”

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