Consensus Check: A Solution for All Alaskans

A Consensus Check is a simple but powerful addition to ranked choice voting that ensures that a candidate the voters prefer over each other candidate wins, just like a round-robin sports tournament.

This video follows two voters—John (who favors blue candidates) and Emily (who favors yellow)—as they rank candidates and influence every head-to-head matchup. Even in a race where one party dominates, Consensus voting gives every voter a say in key outcomes.

We break down how ballots are counted, how rankings translate into real influence, and why a Consensus Check can prevent outcomes that ignore voter preferences.

Alaska currently uses Instant Runoff Voting. A Consensus Check doesn't replace that—it just adds a safeguard. If voters clearly prefer one candidate over all others, that candidate wins.

If not, the current process continues unchanged. This is about protecting voters, majority rule and political equality—nothing more, nothing less.