After state judge keeps ranked choice repeal ballot measure, Alaska Supreme Court will weigh in

Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jude Pate, right, asks a mobility during oral arguments successful a lawsuit concerning correspondence acquisition allotments, connected June 27, 2024, successful nan Boney Courthouse successful Anchorage. (Photo by Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)

Supporters of Alaska’s classed prime predetermination strategy are asking nan Alaska Supreme Court to norm connected 1 last effort to support a repeal measurement from this November’s predetermination ballot.

Earlier this month, Anchorage Superior Court Judge Christina Rankin ruled that location was insufficient grounds to disqualify nan measurement from a statewide vote. While Rankin disqualified immoderate signatures from a petition seeking to unit a repeal vote, a recount by nan Alaska Division of Elections confirmed that capable signatures remain for that ballot to return place.

On Thursday, opponents of nan repeal inaugural asked nan Alaska Supreme Court to reappraisal an constituent of Rankin’s decision.

In a archive called a connection of points connected appeal, they opportunity Rankin was incorrect erstwhile she allowed nan Alaska Division of Elections to licence signature gatherers nan expertise to correct insignificant mistakes pinch nan ballot measurement petition aft nan submission deadline.

In June, Rankin wrote that nan section has allowed petitioners nan expertise to correct insignificant mistakes arsenic acold backmost arsenic 2015 and that it is allowed nether a 2006 Alaska Supreme Court determination that said successful portion “that nan correct to inaugural is not to beryllium defeated by method norm violations.”

If nan precocious tribunal rules against Rankin’s decision, it could time off petitioners pinch insufficient signatures for a 2024 vote.

Attorney Scott Kendall, representing opponents of nan repeal initiative, said by matter connection that nan Alaska Supreme Court has ne'er been asked whether ballot measures should beryllium held to nan strict timelines that use to campaigner filings.

“It is existent that if nan entreaty does not succeed, past (the ballot measure) will astir apt look connected nan ballot,” he wrote by text.

The Supreme Court has group an accelerated timeline to perceive nan case, pinch written arguments scheduled to decorativeness by Aug. 19. The tribunal has scheduled oral arguments for Aug. 22, 2 days aft nan statewide superior election.

The tribunal must norm quickly: Ballot designs must beryllium fresh successful clip for ballots to beryllium printed and mailed to overseas voters by Sept. 21. 

Senior newsman Claire Stremple contributed to this article.