Ranked-choice voting has challenged the status quo. Its popularity will be tested in November

Alaska’s new electoral system — with open primaries and ranked-choice voting — has been a model for voters in other states who are frustrated by political polarization and a sense that voters lack real choice at the ballot box. But an initiative set for this fall’s ballot asks voters to repeal the new system. It’s just one example this year of an intensifying fight over ranked voting that is driven at least partly by deep voter dissatisfaction with the status quo and opposition from political parties and partisan groups that fear losing power. Measures either to implement or ban ranked voting will be on the ballot in several states in November.