Portland Press Herald: "Lawmakers Should Resist Call to Repeal Ranked Choice Voting"

image
Created: 08 Jun, 2017
Updated: 17 Oct, 2022
1 min read

The Portland Press Herald published an editorial Thursday, calling on lawmakers to save ranked choice voting. Maine lawmakers are currently considering two bills that would either amend the constitution for ranked choice voting or fully repeal the voter-approved statute.

READ MORE: Sen. King to Maine Lawmakers: Let Voters Decide Fate of Ranked Choice Voting

The majority of Maine voters approved the implementation of ranked choice voting for state and federal elections in November 2016. Nearly 400,000 voters gave the ballot measure (Question 5) the second-largest referendum victory in Maine’s history.

The Press Herald writes:

"[T]he merits of ranked-choice voting aren’t the issue here. Those were debated at length in the lead-up to Nov. 8. Voters heard them – along with questions about the measure’s constitutionality – and a majority clearly wants a new electoral system. At issue now is whether the Legislature will listen."

"The matter is back in lawmakers’ hands after the court last month unanimously ruled that parts of the new ranked-choice voting law are unconstitutional," the editorial continues.

To be clear, the Maine Supreme Court's non-binding opinion pertains to a constitutional provision that deals with the general elections for governor, State Senate, and State House. There is no constitutional conflict to use ranked choice voting for primary and federal elections in Maine.

"Maine Republicans [...] have never liked ranked-choice voting, they're using the court’s ruling to call for a full repeal of the referendum. Some Democrats – apparently not as concerned about the will of the people here [...] have joined them, and ranked-choice voting appears doomed."

"That’s a shame. The court’s ruling should not be cover to sweep away the outcome of the November election," the Press Herald adds.

Read the full editorial here.

IVP Donate

Latest articles

Dont tread on me flag.
Libertarian Party Chair Warns Party in Danger of 'Full Collapse'
Elections in the US make it all, but impossible for third party and independent candidates to compete in most elections. Still, for several decades there have been established third parties at the national level, including the Libertarian, Green, and Reform Parties....
07 May, 2025
-
2 min read
People shopping
Are Independent Voters Prepared to Ride Out Tariff Uncertainty?
For millions of independent voters, short-term pain isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s unsustainable....
07 May, 2025
-
2 min read
Inside the Capitol Building Rotunda.
LISTEN: The Plan to Deny Both Parties a House Majority
Austen Campbell was the Deputy Finance Director for independent Senate candidate Dan Osborne, whose grassroots campaign in Nebraska turned a presumed Republican stronghold into a competitive race - scaring the GOP establishment in the process....
06 May, 2025
-
1 min read