The Independent View: Alaska's Blanket Primary, General Election System

I have been looking for a Blanket Primary system that has passed the Supreme Court and is in effect for the 2014 election cycle. And I found Alaska.

Alaska's Primary Structure

Alaska law allows a political party to select who may participate in their party's primary. Parties may expand or limit who may participate in their Primary Election by submitting a written notice with a copy of their pre-cleared by-laws to the Director of Elections no later than September 1st of the year prior to the year in which a Primary Election is to be held.

Based on political party by-laws submitted to the Division of Elections, in 2014 there are three ballot choices:

- Alaska Democratic Party, Alaska Libertarian Party and Alaskan Independence Party Candidate with Ballot Measures on a single ballot - any registered voter may vote this ballot.

- Alaska Republican Party Candidate with Ballot Measures ballot - voters registered as Republican, Nonpartisan or Undeclared may vote this ballot.

- The Ballot Measures Only ballot - any registered voter may vote this ballot.

The political party affiliation listed on a voter's registration record 30 days prior to the election determines which primary ballot type a voter is eligible to vote on.

Alaska's General Election

The name of the candidate receiving the highest number of votes for an office by a political party on the August Primary Election ballot will advance to the General Election ballot. In the case that a winning candidate from the Primary Election of a recognized political party withdraws 48 days prior to the General Election, the vacancy may be filled through party petition by the respective recognized political party.

Candidates who do not represent a political party (no-party candidates) certified by the director will appear on the General Election ballot as well as judicial candidates filing for retention.

A space will be provided in each race on the General Election ballot for voters to record the name of a write-in candidate certified by the director.

The General Election ballot is an open ballot and all candidates, regardless of their party affiliation, will appear by race on the ballot.

So we are getting close to a true Blanket Primary with one ballot.

What do you think about having a single Blanket Primary so you could vote for your candidate choices, regardless of party affiliation?