Supporters of effort to repeal ranked voting in Alaska violated rules, report finds

By BECKY BOHRER
Associated Press

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A report alleges that backers of an effort to repeal ranked voting in Alaska violated state campaign finance rules, including by channeling money through a church-affiliated organization in a way that initially concealed the source of the contributions. The report, from the staff for the Alaska Public Offices Commission, recommends penalties of $22,500 for Art Mathias, a leader of the repeal effort, and around $20,000 for the church-affiliated Ranked Choice Education Association. The report still must be considered by the commission. An attorney for Mathias and others did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment but previously said the association and Mathias “made no effort to hide” Mathias’ contributions.