Investigation Expands Into Alleged Sketchy Behavior of Groups Trying to Repeal Alaska’s Ranked Choice Voting

Brian Beihl

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Sept. 1, 2023

Photos: Upper – Alaska Beacon; Lower – Alaska Public Media; Graphics from respective organizations.

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

Investigation Expands Into Alleged Sketchy Behavior of Groups Trying to Repeal Alaska’s Ranked Choice Voting

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

We’re revisiting a complicated and expanding story from July, involving alleged sketchy behavior from groups hoping to repeal ranked choice voting in Alaska, involving a pastor, a group he organized as part of his church, and a former U.S. Senate candidate. 

In July, Alaska Public Media reported that PRO-ranked choice Alaskans for Better Elections filed a campaign finance complaint against an ANTI-ranked choice group, Ranked Choice Education Association, registered as a nonprofit “integrated auxiliary” of a church. That group later made a political donation to Alaskans for Honest Elections, organizing the initiative to repeal RCV.  The church’s pastor is both president of the Ranked Choice Education Association and Alaskans for Honest Elections.  An investigation by the Alaska Public Offices Commission is ongoing.  

Then August 25th, the Alaska Beacon reported the Commission’s staff issued a recommendation in ANOTHER case involving a separate anti-RCV nonprofit.  Preserve Democracy was founded by Kelly Tshibaka, a 2022 U.S. Senate challenger to Sen. Lisa Murkowski.   Alaskans for Better Elections complained that Tshibaka’s nonprofit lobbied legislators and accepted political donations without filing the required paperwork or reports.   Preserve Democracy has been cleared of the illegal lobbying, but the Commission staff recommended fines of $16,450 dollars for its lack of financial disclosures.   The full Public Offices Commission must still adopt that recommendation.     

We have more on this convoluted story at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org  I’m Brian Beihl. 

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Anchorage Daily News – Ranked choice voting opponents begin gathering signatures for ballot initiative
Alaska Public Media – Complaint alleges foes of Alaska’s ranked choice voting formed a church to funnel political donations
Alaska Beacon – Another campaign complaint filed against opponents of Alaska ranked choice voting
Alaska Beacon – Report from Alaska campaign regulator says Tshibaka-linked group violated state law
Stateline News – As ranked choice voting gains momentum, parties in power push back
Preserve Democracy – Anti-RCV Presentation Made to Alaska Legislative Committee

Republican National Committee – Resolution Opposing Ranked Choice Voting
Alaska Division of Elections – Ranked Choice Voting – Explained
Alaskans for Better Elections – Supplemental Filing Alleging Connections Between Two Anti-RCV Groups

Groups Taking Action:

Alaskans for Better Elections,  FairVote, Represent.Us, Rank the Vote

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