Full Breakdown
Trump Slams Alaska’s Ranked-Choice System and Three-Way Senate Race
By Drooid · · How we work
Trump’s Attack on Alaska’s GOP Split and Ranked-Choice Voting
President Donald Trump used his Truth Social account to denounce Alaska’s practice of fielding three Republican candidates against a single Democrat in the U.S. Senate contest. “stupid” and urged its repeal before the November election. Trump also labeled the second Republican, Dan J. Sullivan, a “fraud” and accused Democrats of inserting him to confuse voters.
Alaska’s Ranked-Choice Voting Mechanism
Under Alaska’s ranked-choice system, the top four primary finishers—regardless of party—appear on the general ballot. Voters may rank candidates; if no one exceeds 50 % of first-choice votes, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated and their supporters’ next choices are re-tabulated. This process repeats until a candidate secures a majority.
Poll Landscape Ahead of the November 3 Election
- An Alaska Survey Research poll conducted Oct. 1-3 of 1,512 likely voters showed Democrat Mary Peltola at 47 % and incumbent Republican Dan S. Sullivan at 45 %.
- A New York Times/Siena University poll covering Sept. 24-Oct. 1 gave Peltola 50 % and Sullivan 43 %.
- The same New York Times/Siena University poll reported that 6 % of 504 likely voters were undecided about the Nov. 3 ballot, while 1 % would choose one of the two minor Republican candidates.
If Peltola wins, she would become Alaska’s first Democratic senator since Mark Begich’s 2008 victory. Republicans currently hold a 53-to-47 majority in the U.S. Senate.
Official Statements & Responses
President Trump reiterated his endorsement of incumbent Dan S. He also asserted that Democrats had “planted” Dan J. Sullivan in the race to create confusion.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You know the Democrats put up another man in the race named Dan Sullivan. He's a fraud. Dan Sullivan's a fraud. That Dan Sullivan is a disgraceful fraud. They put it up for confusion and everything else,” — Donald Trump, president