This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Lesil McGuire’s name and note that campaign finance disclosures are made to the Alaska Public Offices Commission.
A group opposing the ranked choice voting repeal initiative, No on 2, has raised more than $12 million, according to its latest financial disclosure with the Alaska Public Offices Commission.
Phillip Izon II, whose campaign to repeal the state’s open primary and ranked voice voting system raised only $120,000, said he is still confident that Ballot Measure 2 will prevail on Election Day. He spoke with the Alaska Beacon from Hawaii, where he is taking a monthslong break after signature gathering and fighting the lawsuits that have dogged him since he organized to roll back the state’s new voting system.
“It’s a David and Goliath story,” he said by phone on Tuesday, referring to the biblical tale wherein a young shepherd takes on a Philistine giant and prevails.
He may be outraised by 100-to-1, but Izon said the repeal effort has excitement on its side. He pointed to huge turnouts at events he promoted through radio ads and social media and the signature gathering effort that he said was led by more than 400 volunteers.
The vast majority of the $12 million raised by the pro ranked choice group No on 2 came from out of state. Its top three contributors are nonpartisan advocacy non-profits from the Lower 48: Article IV, in Arlington, Virginia; Unite America, in Denver, Colorado; and Action Now Initiative LLC, in Houston, Texas.
The group has local support, too, however, and touts its home state champions in videos on its website. The No on 2 campaign is chaired by former state Sen. Lesil McGuire, a Republican from Anchorage, and managed by Juli Lucky, who is also the executive director of Alaskans for Better Elections.
“Defending these pro-voter reforms is vital for Alaska’s future. We’re deeply grateful for the overwhelming support we’ve received from Alaskans and national partners alike, as we work together to protect the integrity of our elections and ensure every voter’s voice is heard,” Lucky said in an emailed response to questions on Wednesday.
No on 2 has spent money on radio and TV advertising as well as mailed advertising materials, polling and events. Izon criticized them for focusing on the issue of the open primary rather than mentioning ranked choice voting.
Izod’s repeal campaign brought in smaller donations that are mostly from Alaskans. He criticized the opposition’s big, out-of-state donors and said he knew from the start that he wouldn’t be able to compete on fundraising.
But Izon said he doesn’t think the pro ranked choice campaign’s ads or its millions will matter in the end.
“I don’t think they’ll be able to spend enough,” he said.
• Claire Stremple is a reporter based in Juneau who got her start in public radio at KHNS in Haines, and then on the health and environment beat at KTOO in Juneau. This article originally appeared online at alaskabeacon.com. Alaska Beacon, an affiliate of States Newsroom, is an independent, nonpartisan news organization focused on connecting Alaskans to their state government.
