WHAT IF CHANGING THE WAY WE VOTE COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING?

With America's democratic experiment mired in division and dysfunction, the state of Alaska votes to revolutionize their election system. The surprising results spark new alliances, a growing call for election reform, and fierce pushback from political parties. Could changing how Americans vote also change politics for the better?

Majority Rules premiered at the DC/DOX Film Festival in Washington, D.C. and was released theatrically in cities across the U.S. The full 91-minute documentary is now available on digital platforms and can be used for community and educational screenings.

Ready for More?

In May 2025, Unite America released Majority Rules 101 — a new, 30-minute director’s cut of the film.

Alaska is gearing up to do something that no other state has ever done: Adopting a pair of election reforms that will eliminate traditional party primaries and allow voters to rank their candidates by preference. Just as election workers, citizens, and politicians are beginning to adapt to this new system, the state's longest-serving Congressman unexpectedly dies, creating an open seat and prompting a special election that will test this system months earlier than expected. As dozens of candidates –including former Governor Sarah Palin– jump into the race for the highly coveted seat, everyone must learn how these new voting reforms will change the rules of campaigning and winning. The surprising outcome in that special election leads to a groundswell of support for election reform in other states and fierce pushback from political parties and partisans, just as the Alaska general election gets underway..

Veteran political documentary filmmaker AJ Schnack (Caucus, Convention) returns to the campaign trail asking whether these new Alaska reforms, an all-candidate open primary and an instant runoff general election, might be a prescription for what ails the American democratic experiment. Traveling across the country, Schnack and his crew interview reform supporters and opponents, looking at where these reforms are already in place and where they may soon be adopted. The resulting film answers two of our nation’s most pressing questions: How did the American electoral system become so dysfunctional, and can changes to how we vote change our entire system for the better?

Unite America’s Majority Rules impact campaign promotes awareness of election reform—specifically nonpartisan primaries and instant runoff voting. With five states already using these systems and more pursuing ballot initiatives, the campaign aims to inform and inspire voters, reform advocates, and partner organizations through this film. Use this discussion guide to help plan a screening in your community and ignite important conversations.

Written and Directed by
AJ Schnack

Produced by
Nick Troiano

Produced by
AJ Schnack and Alana Schwartz

Producers
Beth Hladick, Chris Ho and Ben Rekhi

Executive Producers
Blair Hull, Steve Kantor, William von Mueffling, David Baszucki,
Jan Ellison Baszucki, Marc Merrill
and Kent Thiry

Edited by
Leslie Simmer

Director of Photography
Adam Benn

Cinematographer
Chris Ho

Sound Recording and Design
Joel C. Hernandez

Music by
Mark degli Antoni
Motion Graphics by Clean Plate FX

Producer
Eric Levy

Creative Director
Ben Radatz

With the on screen participation of
Nick Begich, Gail Fenumiai, Cathy Geissel, Lisa Murkowski, Sarah Palin, Mary Peltola and Kelly Tshibaka

Consider hosting a screening in your community. Our screening guide offers everything you need to plan a great event.

WATCH ON-DEMAND

Majority Rules is also available on Apple TV+, YouTube, Prime Video, and Google Play.

Majority Rules:’ Abramorama Acquires North American Theatrical Rights To AJ Schnack’s Political Documentary

Deadline — May 9, 2024
A
bramorama has acquired the rights to North American theatrical distribution of veteran political documentarian AJ Schnack‘s latest film. READ MORE

DC/DOX Film Festival Unveils Lineup

Variety — May 1, 2024
Majority Rules
will premiere at the festival, which takes place in D.C., June 13-16. READ MORE

Interview: AJ Schnack on ‘Majority Rules’

Nonfics — July 1, 2024
The filmmaker talks about his return to political documentaries, his hopeful perspective on ranked-choice voting, and his debut in the role of narrator. READ MORE

The Effort to Expand Rank Choice Voting

WNYC — July 2, 2024
AJ Schnack, independent filmmaker and director of "Majority Rules," a new documentary about ranked choice voting, and Tim Dunn, executive director of Unite NY, discuss ranked choice voting in New York City and across the country, and its potential impacts on American polarization. LISTEN NOW

New Documentary Argues Ranked-Choice Voting Will Boost Democracy From Alaska to NYC

Gothamist — July 3, 2024
Could the solution to New York’s notoriously low voter turnout — and even the nation’s hyper-partisan divide — be to change how we all vote? READ MORE

New Documentary Explores Election Reform and Ranked-Choice Voting

NY1 News — July 3, 2024
In the middle of a big election year, there’s a growing conversation on ways to fix what many call a broken electoral system. WATCH NOW

Interview With AJ Schnack, Director of New Documentary ‘Majority Rules’

The Jan Price Show — July 13, 2024

Award-winning writer and director AJ Schnack discusses his new documentary, Majority Rules, currently playing in film festivals and select theaters. LISTEN NOW

LAist’s FilmWeek Podcast Reviews ‘Majority Rules’

LAist FilmWeek Podcast — July 12, 2024
Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Christy Lemire include Majority Rules is their reviews of the latest releases. LISTEN NOW

A New Film Explore the Issue of Ranked Choice Voting

NPR Boise State — July 17, 2024
Idahoans will be considering an open primaries initiative this November, which includes a ranked choice voting component. LISTEN NOW

‘Majority Rules’ Brings Election Reform to the Big Screen

Sightline Institute — July 18, 2024
The documentary digs into Alaska’s 2022 launch of open primaries and ranked choice voting—and how the changes shook up the status quo. LISTEN NOW

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Plan on hosting your own screening event? Download our screening guide.

Want to share Majority Rules with your community or have a question for the filmmakers? Email us at: campaign@majorityrulesfilm.com.

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