Division of Elections to begin Implementation of Top Four Primary and Ranked Choice Voting March 1, 2021March 1, 2021 (JUNEAU, AK) – The Better Elections Initiative goes into effect on February 28. Voters will cast their votes in a new nonpartisan Top Four Primary on August 16, 2022, and a Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) process for the November 8, 2022 General Election. Voters will soon begin seeing changes implemented by the Division of Elections (DOE); beginning with updated candidate forms that reflect the new law. Additionally, DOE will adopt new and amended regulations necessary for implementing the new law. The process of fully converting Alaska’s current election system to the voter approved new one is extensive and takes time, but DOE is committed to being transparent and keeping voters involved along the way. Some major changes to be aware of include: Only one ballot in primaries. All candidates will be listed regardless of party or group affiliation. Only the top four candidates will advance to the general. The primary election does not utilize RCV.No more petition candidates. Candidates may no longer skip the primary and appear on the General Election Ballot. Candidates who did not run in the Primary Election can still run as an official write-in candidate in the General Election.Different ballot design/instructions for the General Election. Voters will be able to rank candidates and may choose as many or as few of the listed candidates (or write-in) to rank. Keep an eye out on the division’s website for a prototype General Election ballot.Only first round results will be reported on Election Night. This is the same as in prior elections and these will be unofficial results.Additional tabulation of further rounds and retabulation for races where no candidate reaches 50% of votes will occur on the 15th day after Election Day, after all eligible ballots have been received and counted. “The Division of Elections stands ready to implement the voter’s wishes,” said Director Gail Fenumiai. “Over the next year and a half, we will be engaging with Alaskans to explain how these changes will affect upcoming elections and I believe voters will be well prepared come 2022. My team will continue their hard work as we ensure the smooth transition of our election system.” Educating voters about the Top Four Primary and RCV is a key component of a successful election. DOE is dedicated to ensuring voters have an accurate basic understanding of how both new systems work, including procedural changes related to candidacy filing, voting, election workers, and new tabulation processes. DOE is developing a meaningful education/outreach campaign based on best practices and communication via social media, media, websites, partners, and print materials. It is expected to begin by May 2021. In the meantime, DOE looks to Maine who used RCV in the 2020 General Election, to give Alaska’s voters a brief look into how RCV works. Voters can view Maine’s animated RCV explanation video at https://youtu.be/3Ez3aEUjRQo. Please note that RCV in Alaska will apply to more races than in Maine. DOE has added an RCV FAQ page to its website, www.elections.alaska.gov . This will continue to be updated as more information is finalized. Furthermore, voters can reach DOE with questions specifically related to RCV by emailing, elections@alaska.gov. The Division’s website, which is in the process of being rebuilt and restructured, will include more information about RCV including: sample ballots; educational tools like videos; implementation updates and timelines. ### Contact: Tiffany Montemayor – Public Relations Manager, Division of Elections: GOV.elec.media@alaska.gov or (907) 465-4611