“We the people.” Not we the rich, not we the political party, not we the white man. Our nation’s Constitution begins with these simple but powerful words: “We the people.”

Alaska’s voters can go to the Aug. 18 primary election knowing that they can choose a candidate of their choice, not the choice of a political party, the choice of the people.

If the ballot initiative that includes ending open primaries wins, we will no longer have that option — our vote will be controlled by who the party chooses. Those not registered for a political party will have to choose between two ballots. The people will no longer choose.

This ballot initiative includes ending ranked choice voting. If it wins, we will no longer be able to make four choices by ranking them in order of our favorites. That gives a voter four chances of their choice winning. The people get four choices! The people can vote for a candidate that truly represents their civic ideals.

With ranked choice voting, a candidate has to win by 50% plus one vote. The winning candidate reflects the majority of the voters, nothing less. There are no longer expensive runoff elections. In 2022, five in 10 voters split their ballot between parties. Choices! There was little confusion in 2022; over 99% of ballots were submitted correctly. The people know what they are doing; the party doesn’t have to do it for them.

This ballot initiative not only includes ending open primaries and ranked choice voting, it also includes ending campaign finance disclosure.

It will once again establish “dark money,” where the people will never know what special interest, mega-wealthy outside source is financing a campaign or how much they are giving. Currently, those sources and amounts have to be disclosed. Campaign financing should not be a secret. The people should know.

The signs are already up supporting this ballot initiative, but they tell little. Be an informed voter! Dig into why they want to take your choices away. Why they want to control your vote, and why they want to hide the big money that supports their party.

Seems rotten to me. Vote no on repealing open primaries/RCV and ending campaign donor disclosure.

— Therese Lewandowski, Homer

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