Campaign buttons urging Alaskans to repeal ranked choice voting in Alaska. fines levied against groups seeking to repeal Alaska’s open primaries and ranked choice voting system.several groups seeking to repeal the voting system by ballot measure a total of more than $94,000 earlier this year for failing to adhere to the state’s disclosure requirements.
Most of the ballot group’s funding — used to cover the cost of signature gathering and related expenses — came through a tax-exempt religious organization called the Ranked Choice Education Association formed by Anchorage insurance agent and minister Arthur Mathias in 2022. Art Mathias, left, and Phillip Izon stand next to boxes of signature booklets at the state Division of Elections office in Anchorage in January.
The fines are just one legal battle being fought by opponents of Alaska’s voting system. On Monday, a trial is set to begin in abrought by supporters of the voting system against the state for certifying the ballot measure despite what the supporters say is evidence that some of the required 26,000 signatures were gathered in violation of state laws.