Majority Rules Discussion Video - Cynthia Richie Terrell

FairVote hosts a panel with filmmaker AJ Schnack, Alaska Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, and RepresentWomen CEO Cynthia Richie Terrell on Majority Rules — a new documentary showcasing how open primaries and ranked choice voting are reshaping Alaska’s politics.

On October 9, 2024, FairVote hosted a special webinar on Majority Rules, the new documentary by filmmaker AJ Schnack that tells the story of Alaska’s groundbreaking election reforms. The conversation brought together Schnack, Alaska Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, RepresentWomen CEO Cynthia Richie Terrell, and FairVote CEO Meredith Sumpter.

The film highlights how Alaska’s adoption of open primaries and ranked choice voting has transformed campaigns, giving voters more choice, encouraging coalition-building, and fostering civility in politics. Senator Giessel shared her first-hand experience running in Alaska’s new system—knocking on doors across partisan divides and winning support as voters’ second choice. Cynthia Richie Terrell emphasized the broader impact of ranked choice voting on electing more women and diverse leaders, citing data showing that RCV jurisdictions consistently achieve higher levels of women’s representation.

The discussion underscored how reforms like RCV and open primaries empower voters, reduce polarization, and restore faith in democracy. As Schnack noted, these changes allow voters to “vote their values” without fear of wasted votes, opening the door to more authentic representation.

Watch the discussionand learn more about the film.