Alaska campaign‑finance ballot measures

Alaska is preparing for its 2026 statewide primary on August 18, with two ballot initiatives at the center of the election. Measure 1 proposes to reinstate campaign‑finance contribution limits that were struck down in 2021, capping individual donations at $2,000 and setting higher caps for groups and joint tickets. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Calvin Schrage, is slated to appear on the primary ballot and would take effect for the 2028 elections.

Measure 2 seeks to repeal the 2020 reforms that introduced ranked‑choice voting and open primaries, restoring a closed primary system and eliminating recent disclosure rules. Sponsored by Republican gubernatorial candidate Bernadette Wilson, it is scheduled for the November general‑election ballot.

Public hearings on both measures were held on July 27, with a second hearing set for August 5. Early in‑person voting begins on August 3, absentee voting is already underway, and preliminary results are expected on election night, with final certification by the end of August. Recounts and legal challenges must be filed by early September.