<p>Three Republicans and one Democrat are running on two of Alaska's general election ballots after the second Democrat in each race withdrew, allowing a third Republican to enter the races.</p>
<p>In the gubernatorial election, Democratic former state Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is competing against Republicans Bernadette Wilson, Dave Bronson, and Treg Taylor. Taylor was added to the general election ballot after Democrat Tom Begich dropped out to endorse Kreiss-Tomkins.</p>
<p>In the Senate race, Democratic former Rep. Mary Peltola faces Republicans Dan S. Sullivan, Dan J. Sullivan Jr., and Gerald Heikes. Heikes was elevated to the ballot after Democrat David Leslie withdrew, leaving Peltola as the only Democrat.</p>
<p>Both Begich and Leslie withdrew before the August 31 deadline, allowing the next highest vote-getters from the primary to advance. If they had withdrawn later, their names would have remained on the ballot.</p>
<p>While the three-to-one ratio of Republicans to Democrats may seem to favor the Democrats, Alaska uses ranked choice voting, which is designed to mitigate the spoiler effect of multiple candidates.</p>
<p>Glenn Wright, a political science professor at the University of Alaska Southeast, stated, "Because of the way ranked choice voting works, it shouldn’t make much of an impact at all." However, some Republican commentators argue that the split could benefit Democrats.</p>
<h2>Impact of Voter Behavior</h2>
<p>Wright explained that in ranked choice voting, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed until one candidate achieves a majority. He noted that the addition of another Republican should not split the vote significantly.</p>
<p>However, voters are not required to fill out their entire ballot, which raises concerns among Republicans that many may only vote for their preferred candidate, potentially harming GOP chances.</p>
<p>Arthur Hackney, an Alaska Republican strategist, expressed concern that voters might only support one Republican candidate, which could lead to a loss of votes in subsequent rounds if that candidate is eliminated.</p>
<p>Hackney also pointed out differences between the gubernatorial and Senate races, noting that the Senate race has garnered more national attention and that incumbent Sen. Sullivan has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.</p>
<h2>Fundraising and Campaigning Considerations</h2>
<p>Both Hackney and Wright highlighted that having one Democratic candidate allows for consolidated fundraising and campaigning resources, while the three Republicans may split their resources.</p>
<p>Hackney noted that the lack of an incumbent in the gubernatorial race complicates the dynamics, as outgoing Governor Mike Dunleavy has not endorsed any candidate.</p>
<h2>Ranked Choice Voting Referendum</h2>
<p>Alaska voters will decide whether to repeal ranked choice voting in the upcoming election. The measure asks voters if they wish to eliminate the system, which was implemented in 2022.</p>
<p>Proponents argue that ranked choice voting increases options for voters and leads to less extreme candidates. National Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have campaigned against the system, calling it "unfair and confusing." Johnson stated, "We need free and fair elections." </p>
<p>Wright, who supports ranked choice voting, believes that Alaskans can manage the system effectively.</p>