Midterm races from Alaska to Maine were decided this year by ranked choice, a system that’s designed to lift up candidates with broad appeal instead of fringe candidates who eke out wins by carving up the electorate.
It’s got its supporters and detractors, but it is growing in popularity across the country after a high-profile tryout in New York City last year. Seven cities or counties voted this month to use ranked choice in future elections and Nevada will opt into the system if a ballot measure passes for a second time in 2024.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski won reelection as a centrist Republican in Alaska late Wednesday after state election officials ran the numbers on ranked choice ballots submitted over a week ago.