You’re being lied to about Ballot Measure 2

(Alaska Division of Elections photo)

By Paul Robbins Jr.

When it comes to politics, what a campaign says is rarely as important as what they’re avoiding. And the writers of Ballot Measure 2 are hoping you don’t notice what’s on 33 pages of the 35-page measure. 

The repeal of ranked choice voting (RCV) and open primaries is a cover for what the dishonest originators of the ballot measure are trying to get rid of — the laws keeping dark money out of Alaska politics. 

Alaska currently has some of the strongest campaign finance disclosure laws in the nation, ensuring political organizations and candidates reveal the true sources of any contributions greater than $2,000. Our laws also make sure political ads paid for by entities outside of Alaska include a statement revealing the majority contributor. 

These great laws are why we know the Repeal Now (Yes on 2) group has received millions of dollars from out-of-state conservative megadonors and billionaires like Jeff Yass and Elon Musk. It’s also why we know the No on 2 group has received millions from the Unite America PAC, whose major donors are John Arnold and Michael Bloomberg. 

The vast majority of Alaskans agree, dark money shouldn’t be in Alaska politics. We should know who’s funding our politics and our politicians. Repealing these laws would be wildly unpopular. And that’s why the Yes on 2 website and ads contain no mentions of the laws this measure repeals. 

Don’t take my word for it. Visit the Yes on 2 website and see for yourself. 

Could it be possible there was an oversight, and the repeal language that accounts for 94% of the ballot measure’s text was accidentally left out of their entire communication campaign? 

Unlikely. 

The people behind Ballot Measure 2 know repealing these laws only benefits out-of-state special interests and elites. They are counting on Alaskans to stay focused on the ranked choice voting aspect, and not see the whole picture. 

The Yes on 2 campaign claims “We must bring trust, simplicity and honesty back to our elections system.”

A group that values “trust” wouldn’t hide their intentions and mislead people. 

A group that values “simplicity” would have separated these measures so people could vote on them individually.

A group that values “honesty” wouldn’t try to end laws that require campaigns to reveal the true sources of their fundraising.

I’m voting No on 2 because I don’t want dark money in Alaska, and I hate being lied to. I hope you will too. 

• Paul Robbins Jr. is a Marine Corps veteran and public relations professional who lives in Ketchikan. He is a member of the No on 2 coalition.