Shawn Griffiths
With each election it is generally expected that campaigns across the US will put out hyperbolic, over-exaggerated, and even outright dishonest ads that target people’s fears, anxieties, and anger to convince them to vote a certain way.
To call any ad the “most dishonest” in any cycle is quite the claim, but one out of Alaska may deserve that title.
The campaign pushing Ballot Measure 2—which would repeal nonpartisan open primaries, ranked choice voting, and campaign finance transparency rules—put out an audio ad that claims it will do things it doesn’t.
Specifically, its script says:
“[V]ote yes on Measure 2 to end the stress of ranked choice voting, reject dark money campaign influence, and bring back the days of open primaries.”
Regardless of how one feels about ranked choice voting or open primaries, this ad is misleading.
Alaska already has open primaries. It uses a nonpartisan model in which all voters and candidates participate on a single ballot. Voters can cast a ballot for any candidate in each race, regardless of their party preference.
Republicans, Democrats, third party voters, and independents all have access. The top four candidates advance to the general election.
Ballot Measure 2 would repeal this open and all-inclusive process and return to a semi-closed, party-controlled primary.
Shawn Griffiths
The most notable distinction between the two systems is that the right to vote under Alaska’s old primary rules was not guaranteed like it is under nonpartisan open primaries. The parties got to decide which voters were allowed to participate in taxpayer-funded elections.
Ballot Measure 2 would also repeal disclosure requirements and “true source” rules specifically targeted at “dark money,” which is how voters knew Elon Musk gave more than a million dollars to a Wisconsin-based PAC in support of it.
Prior to these new rules, donors could funnel money through 501(c)(4) groups and certain political action committees (which are colloquially referred to as “dark money” sources) in support of a candidate or measure without their name being outed.
The term “dark money” simply refers to the lack of transparency that is often associated with groups of a specific tax status. Absent state regulations, federal law does not require them to disclose their donors/contributors.
Ballot Measure 2 would return to a system in which voters may know which group paid for a political ad, mailer, etc, but not always who supplied the money to that group.
Yet, national polls show most voters want greater transparency in campaign finance.
The Yes on 2 ad has played on radio stations in Alaska, podcast advertisements, and is being promoted on social media with an AI-generated video.
No on 2 issued a cease-and-desist letter to radio stations across Alaska on September 9, demanding that they stop or refuse to air the ad. Campaign Manager Julia Anastos said, “this is not spin, it is false advertisement.”
“They know it closes our primaries and reopens the door to dark money. Telling voters otherwise isn’t a mistake, it’s deception, and Alaskans deserve better.”
Meta says the Facebook ad remains active and has been running since August 18.