Quick Action
Maine voters approved ranked choice voting in 2016 and the courts have ruled that the process can be used in the June primaries, but the fight to keep RCV is not over. On June 12 vote YES on Question 1 to tell the legislature that the people of Maine veto their repeal of ranked choice voting. UPDATE: Question 1 passed with 54% of the vote and will be in place for Congressional elections in November!
League of Women Voters of Maine, Committee for Ranked Choice Voting, and SUM Admin Team C2A
UPDATE: Question 1 passed by 54% and will be in place for Congressional elections in November! Legislators will begin work in the next session on a constitutional amendment that would put ranked choice voting in place for all statewide elections. A HUGE thank you to everyone who worked so hard to see this across the finish line!
THE ISSUE
Ranked choice voting (RCV) was introduced as a referendum on the 2016 ballot and was approved by 52% of Maine voters. Since then, the law has been challenged in the courts and in the State House, but Maine is now primed to be the first to use the system in a statewide race. Just this week, the courts rebuffed the latest court challenge by Republicans seeking to bar RCV. While the system is now set for the primaries, Question 1 will determine if it can be used in the general election for federal races and beyond. Question 1, also referred to as “The People’s Veto,” would overturn the legislature’s decision to block the use of RCV until constitutional issues are resolved. Because RCV will not be used in the general election for governor or state legislature (the positions that require a plurality vote under the Maine constitution), the use of RCV in November for federal elections poses no constitutional problems.
How does ranked choice voting work?
It’s basically an instant run-off. If no candidate receives the majority of votes in the initial vote, the lowest ranked candidate is removed, and his/her voters’ second choices are allocated to the remaining candidates. This process continues until one candidate has a majority of the votes still in play. You don’t have to rank candidates, but those who choose not to won’t have a voice in the run-off rounds if their first choice is eliminated. Still confused? Here’s a fabulous short video!
What elections will RCV be used for?
RCV will be used in primary races that have more than two candidates, including Democratic and Republican Gubernatorial primaries and Democratic primary for US Rep for CD2. If Question 1 is approved, RCV will also be used for any federal races that have more than two candidates. Learn more and see sample ballots.
THE ACTION
- Vote YES on Question 1!
- Attend an RCV information session near you and share this video from the Secretary of State to help others understand how the new system works.
- Pick up a yard sign from your county ME Dems office.
- Share this graphic to help remind independent/un-enrolled voters that we need them to show up at the polls, too!
Suit Up Maine is an independent, all-volunteer grassroots progressive group that seeks to build a more informed and engaged electorate in Maine. Founded in 2016, Suit Up Maine is run by and for Mainers, and is not engaged in fundraising of any kind. Representing thousands of constituents across Maine’s 16 counties, Suit Up Maine raises awareness of and advocates for policies and legislation that promote equity and equality in civil rights, social justice, health care, the environment, education, the economy, and other areas that affect the lives of all people. Suit Up Maine is beholden to issues and action, not parties or politicians.
