Referendum Question 5 would allow voters to rank candidates, from first to last choice and to require a majority of the vote to win in elections for governor and the U.S. and Maine Senate and House. In 1820, the Constitution of Maine required a majority of the vote to be elected governor, based on the […]
ranked choice voting
Posted inOp-Eds
Question 5: Implementation difficulties for RCV
Ranked-choice voting is enjoying some favorable national exposure from Question 5 on Maine’s November ballot. If approved, voters will be able to rank their choices of candidates in future state and federal elections. Advocates point out that ranked-choice voting can improve political civility, prevent “spoiler” outcomes and ensure a majority winner. But they’re reluctant to […]
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Posted inLetters
Vote ‘yes’ on Question 5
Many people are turned off by the current election and feel like most candidates fall too far to the left or right of their views. Those who are convinced that something has to change can make a difference by voting “yes” on Question 5 — ranked-choice voting. That instant run-off method of counting ballots means […]
Posted inLetters
Question 5 implementation costly
I am troubled by any citizens’ initiative that seeks to trump the Maine Constitution. The Maine constitution states a very specific election requirement: To seat the winning candidates who have “been elected by a plurality of all votes” for Maine representatives, Maine senators, Maine governor, U.S. senators, and U.S. House representatives. No referendum can or […]
Posted inLetters
Ranked-choice voting unnecessary
Advocates make the claim that ranked-choice voting is the only way to ensure the elected candidate receives 51 percent or more of votes, rather than declaring the one garnering more votes than the other candidates as winner by plurality. That is absurd. Many people lack college degrees, but know how to look up words in […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Municipal officials support Question 5
A recent article in the Sun Journal quoted some of our municipal colleagues on the issue of ranked-choice voting — Question 5 on the November ballot. None of the more than 100 municipal officials across Maine who have already endorsed ranked-choice voting were quoted. As two municipal elected officials who strongly support Question 5, we […]
Posted inLetters
Ranked choice voting is simple
I support Question 5 on the November ballot to implement ranked-choice voting. The political climate has become increasingly toxic, polarized and negative. Politics has become a place for mud-slinging and finger pointing and not a discussion of issues and policies to move Maine forward. For voters, it is very difficult to separate fact from fiction […]
Posted inLetters
Put more voice in your vote
There are many great reasons to vote for ranked-choice voting. Here are a couple of mine. For those who are registered voters who wholeheartedly believe in democracy (I sure hope so), my trusty old dog-eared Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines democracy as “rule of the majority” and majority as “a number greater than half of the total.” […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Ranked Choice restores majority rule
If approved by Maine voters this November, Question 5 will enact Ranked Choice Voting, giving Maine voters the option to rank their choice of candidates in future state and federal elections. Question 5 proposes the most cost-effective and efficient process to conduct run-offs, when necessary, to restore majority rule in Maine elections. The cost to […]
Posted inLetters
Vote ‘yes’ on ranked choice
In order to truly be the chosen leader after an election, the winner should have received more than 50 percent of the vote. Ranked choice voting will accomplish that goal. I will be voting yes on Question 5 — ranked choice voting. Carl Beckett, Mechanic Falls