I offer two reasons to vote “yes” on Question 1. • Returning constitutionally permissible Maine elections to majority rule with ranked-choice voting is an antidote to the hyper-partisanship currently eroding democratic norms. Ranked-choice voting favors election of candidates with less extreme positions whose appeal to a broader swath of the electorate allows them to compromise. […]
ranked choice voting
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Where ranked-choice voting matters, candidates say voters should ignore it
TURNER — As voters try ranked-choice voting for the first time Tuesday, the 75th House District offers the only state legislative contest on the primary ballot in Maine where the new method has a chance of making a difference. But the three men in the contest are so opposed to ranked-choice voting that they’re calling […]
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Posted inMaine
Maine primary results could be delayed at least 6 days while ranked-choice votes are counted
Mainers may not learn the winners of some of Tuesday’s primary elections until nearly a week later because of the logistics of the ranked-choice voting process, according to the timeline the Secretary of State’s Office released Thursday. With seven Democrats and four Republicans seeking their parties’ nominations for governor, it appears unlikely that any candidate will emerge with a […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
RCV means a stronger winner
Maybe the best way to understand ranked-choice voting is to imagine we all come together to vote, in an auditorium or community center. Under the old system, if your preferred candidate finishes last, all you can do is go home. Under ranked choice, it is as if voters are being asked to stick around and […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Not required to use RCV
A friend told me recently how overwhelmed she felt by the number of candidates in the Maine gubernatorial primary. There was one candidate she knew she supported, but she hadn’t had the time or inclination to adequately research all of the others. She said that she was concerned about the prospect of ranked-choice voting because […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine voters soon to decide fate of ranked-choice voting
Maine voters will finally get their chance to try out the hotly debated ranked-choice voting system when they head to the polls to select party nominees for governor, Congress and the Legislature on June 12. While they’re in the voting booth, Mainers will also face Question 1 on their ballots, asking them if they want […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Federal court denies GOP request to block ranked-choice ballots
A federal judge on Tuesday turned down a request for a preliminary injunction barring the use of ranked-choice voting in the Maine Republican Party’s June 12 primaries, including the contest to become the party’s gubernatorial candidate. The party filed suit after its state convention in early May, saying delegates unanimously wanted to continue to use a plurality vote in […]
Posted inPerspective, sj-web
A primer on RCV
As we approach Maine’s historic ranked choice voting primary, voters across the state are preparing for their first opportunity to cast ballots which rank multiple candidates instead of picking just one. What does this change mean for voters? First and foremost, it is an opportunity for Maine to continue and deepen its record of civic […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Judge to rule on ranked-choice voting
A federal judge said he will decide early next week whether the Republican primary June 12 will be held under ranked-choice or traditional, plurality voting rules. U.S. District Court Judge Jon Levy did not hint at which way he is leaning on the party’s lawsuit to allow it to continue selecting its candidates by plurality […]
Posted inConnections, Lewiston-Auburn
Briefly: City
Ranked choice voting to be explained AUGUSTA — Lewiston Public Library will host a talk to provide information to voters regarding the new ranked-choice voting method that will be used in the June 12 primary election. It will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, at the library, 200 Lisbon St. UNAA to meet […]