The Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) has once again imposed significant penalties on the organizers behind a failed effort to repeal the state's ranked choice voting system. This week, APOC levied fines totaling nearly $157,000 against multiple entities and an individual involved in the campaign. These new sanctions come on top of a previous fine exceeding $94,000, which is currently under appeal at the Alaska Supreme Court. The commission’s decision underscores the ongoing legal scrutiny surrounding financial disclosures and compliance with election regulations.

In its ruling, APOC emphasized that the failure to submit required financial disclosure forms remains a critical issue. Despite the pending appeal of the earlier fine, the commission found that non-compliance with previous orders cannot be excused. The organizations cited include Alaskans for Honest Elections, Alaskans for Honest Government, and the Ranked Choice Education Association, along with Arthur Matthias. These groups played a pivotal role in collecting signatures for Ballot Measure 2, which aimed to overturn Alaska’s open primary elections and ranked choice voting system. However, this measure was narrowly defeated by voters in November, with just a 0.2% margin out of over 320,000 votes cast.

The commission's order stated, "We concur that the respondents are in violation of both the prior order and applicable laws. Their appeal does not exempt them from adhering to the mandated requirements, hence we have imposed civil penalties for ongoing and new violations." This decision highlights the strict enforcement of transparency and accountability in political campaigns within Alaska.

Initially, the organizers had planned to launch another repeal campaign for the 2026 election. However, they ultimately decided to support efforts led by the Alaska Republican Party, which continues to push for the repeal of the ranked choice voting system. This shift reflects the evolving dynamics within the state’s political landscape as various groups align their strategies to achieve common goals.

The recent penalties imposed by APOC underscore the importance of adherence to regulatory guidelines in political campaigns. As the debate over voting systems continues, it is clear that transparency and compliance will remain key issues for any future initiatives seeking to modify Alaska’s electoral processes.