Ranked-choice voting gets my vote. Here’s why.

When elections have more than two candidates, we often have a favorite. But if that candidate doesn’t seem like they can win, we often vote our second choice so our “vote will count.” With ranked-choice voting, we can vote for our first choice and, if that person is eliminated, our second (or even third) choice is already counted, until one candidate gets 50 percent.

Nine of the last 11 governors were elected by a minority of voters. Ranked-choice voting fixes this and produces the candidate that gets a majority of the votes.

Ranked-choice voting does not favor one party or one candidate over the others. It is a process to elect the person that most people want. It’s fair to the voters and fair to the candidates.

Ranked-choice voting can help get the negative campaigning out of politics. It would be a mistake for a candidate to trash another when they may well need the votes of their supporters to get to a majority.

Ranked-choice voting is a process that shows us that our vote counts. If more of us felt like our vote counted, perhaps more people would turn out to vote — that’s a real plus. Governments around the world and municipalities across the U.S. have benefited from the use of ranked-choice voting, including Portland.

I have used ranked-choice voting in business. It helps managers and employees sort through options they are considering. It gives a sense where the majority of opinions are.

November is our chance to have our voice heard. Learn about ranked-choice voting, talk to your friends, check out www.fairvotemaine.org — and vote.

Ron Lovaglio

Augusta