Phil Izon, who spearheaded the first campaign to repeal ranked choice voting in Alaska, said today that he is withdrawing his petition to avoid confusion, since there is another group trying to do the same thing.
In a statement to Must Read Alaska, Izon said:
“I have made the decision to withdraw my petition to repeal Ranked Choice Voting.
“For the past two years, I’ve dedicated myself to the fight against Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), working tirelessly to protect the integrity of our election systems. Together with incredible grassroots support, we’ve made remarkable progress: helping six states prevent the adoption of RCV, debating three Alaska legislators, three Oregon legislators, the father of RCV in Oakland and San Francisco, and even Presidential Candidate for the Libertarian Party Chase Oliver.
“Despite being outspent 100 to 1 by out-of-state interests pouring $15 million into defending RCV, we stood strong, losing by only a fraction of a percent after two weeks of counting. We fought not only in the court of public opinion but also in Alaska’s legal system, where we successfully defended our ballot measure with unanimous victories in both the Alaska Superior Court and the Alaska Supreme Court.
“Though we fell just short this time, I firmly believe RCV is on life support. Momentum is building across the nation, and I’m already offering my support to efforts in Maine and here at home in Alaska to continue this important work. This isn’t the end—it’s another step in the fight to ensure fair, transparent elections for all. Thank you for standing with me in this journey; together, we’ll keep moving forward.
“With the formation of a new group dedicated to repealing Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), I have made the difficult decision to withdraw my application. I believe it’s important to avoid duplicating efforts and the potential confusion of having two repeal measures on the ballot simultaneously. My hope is that this new group can achieve their goal—it’s not an easy task, but I fully support their mission and wish them success in this important endeavor.
“I will finish my two new petitions soon and I look forward to having everyone’s help on those,” Izon said.
At the same time Izon was filing his application on Dec. 16 for a petition to try to repeal RCV at the ballot box for the second time, a second group was also filing, and it has people such as Bernadette Wilson, Judy Eledge, and former Rep. Ken McCarty involved.
Their petition to the Division of Elections, also filed Dec. 16, is under review and they should be getting an answer back by mid-February, along with petition booklets so they can start the process of getting enough signatures to get the question on the next general election ballot.
The second group, which is yet to adopt a name, believes they have the political muscle behind them to get the repeal passed and they believe they can raise the money to fight the Outside dark money referred to by Izon, who is now turning his attention to his other petitions — requiring photo ID at the ballot box and a move to paper ballots.
Bernadette Wilson, who is the spokesperson for the other group, said, “We are excited to take another shot at ending ranked choice voting as one united front. Ranked-choice voting disenfranchises, and discriminates against voters and Alaskans are ready to repeal. Even after $15 million was spent lying to Alaskans about what a repeal would do, the repeal failed by less than 700 votes. We feel very optimistic heading into 2026 that Alaskans will refuse to be duped again.”
Wilson was the manager of the last conservative ballot measure to pass in Alaska — the 2010 parental notification law that pertained to minors receiving abortions without their parents’ knowledge.
Sad that another came on when they could have just helped Phil. That’s why we can’t have good things.
My thoughts too. But we do need to focus on the goal and Phil has a couple other ‘irons in the fire’. I want to see RCV dead. I agree with Phil that two
groups chances to confuse and then the duplicating is a variable. The other group does have political clout as Suzanne states. All of Phil’s work has paved the way for eventual success.
That’s right! Every copy cat petition kills the opportunity. That was the purpose of the Anchorage Republicans Women’s Club. They gain donations when there is a big fight and if there isn’t one then they make one. Remember the “library” issues? Just a big fight with no winners, just the losers get notoriety. Which they did!
Well maybe Phil could help them? Who cares as long as they get it done?
Phil thank you for your hard work, be assured I will continue to work on repeal of RCV.
Churchill defined a zealot as someone who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject. Surprisingly, then, I guess Mr. Izon doesn’t qualify since he’s decided to bail out.
RCV is here to stay. People like it, especially because it reduces the power and influence of extreme fringe political elements. Got that? Most people are moderate, yet they’re forced to vote for the far right or left wackos that get put on the ballot by their party leaders.
Enough.
Thanks Phil for stepping aside so we can all get behind and fund a single repeal and trash RCV. A divided effort cannot win, doesn’t matter what sport you’re playing – or what slimy voting scheme you’re trying to overturn. You don’t see (D)ems splitting their efforts like this. They win and they win big. There’s a lesson here. Looking forward to seeing this go down. Also looking forward to Scott Kendall getting booed, hissed and middle-fingered out of every public meeting that he attends in the future.
That’s right! Every copy cat petition kills the opportunity. That was the purpose of the Anchorage Republicans Women’s Club. They gain donations when there is a big fight and if there isn’t one then they make one. Remember the “library” issues? Just a big fight with no winners, just the losers get notoriety. Which they did!
Nuff said. We need to move forward, and fight like Ukainians.
We can’t thank Phil enough for his efforts! I hope the new group will succeed!
Thank you, Phil, for your tireless dedication to sinking RCV.
Izon’s initiative was turned in first. The republican petition labels itself as “The Real Repeal.” Whose got a problem here and who was out to cause confusion? There was some quiet help from the republican party during the first round; but while they were helping, they were talking smak abut Izon and abut the petition. I am really disappointed that Phil’s initiative is being pulled because I don’t trust the republican party to follow through since they get a lot of financial support from Lisa Murkowski. It does not look like it was Izon trying to cause the confusion. Is this Lisa Murkowski’s assured win in her next election? We shall see. Republican party, play your cards and let them fall where they may. This will be a telling moment as to who you really serve – the People or Lisa Murkowski.
Thank you, Phil, for all that you accomplished. I collected signatures for your measure and I haven’t lost any faith in this endeavor.
“…and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.”—Mat 12:25
Can someone clarify for me if the organizers of the new group are buddies with Lisa Murkowski?
It “fell just short” because Alaska’s elections are a sham, controlled by programed machines and protected by equally programmable Republican and Democrat stakeholders.
The way they stole this one was almost as nauseating as the indifference of most Alaskans who witnessed it, or the Phil Izons of the world who still don’t even recognize it.
Would be nice if the LEGISLATURE would just stop with some of their nonsensical pursuits and must pass a change to be rid of RCV. That would save the public a lot of time and money.