Struggle for Ranked Choice Voting in Maine
Opposition to ranked choice voting
Maine has struggled to institute ranked choice voting due to opposition from legislators. In 2016, a referendum was passed allowing ranked choice voting. Legislators balked the idea of ranked choice voting primarily because they were concerned that voters would be confused. After discussions, the legislators voted to delay ranked choice voting until 2022.
People's veto to allow ranked choice voting
However, the people were not happy. Maine residents gathered enough signatures to veto the legislature’s decision and put a ranked choice voting referendum on the ballot. The people’s veto passed. Because of the veto, voters were allowed to use ranked choice voting for the June 12, 2018 election.
Ranked choice voting video
The State of Maine created this video to explain ranked choice voting in preparation for the June 12, 2018 election.