I support ranked-choice voting, a common-sense reform to Maine’s voting system that gives more choice to the voters and restores majority rule while giving more voters a voice in our democracy.

In nine of the last 11 races for Maine’s governor, candidates were elected by less than half of voters. In five of those races, candidates were elected by less than 40 percent of voters. In a representative democracy, leaders should be elected by more than half of us, so they truly represent the people and are accountable to us.

Ranked-choice voting gives voters more voice and more choice in elections. If your favorite candidate has no chance of winning, your vote for that candidate will be counted toward your second choice, so your vote is not wasted. With ranked-choice voting, you never have to vote for the lesser of two evils when there is another candidate you prefer.

Across Maine, 73,000 Republicans, Democrats, independents, Greens and Libertarians signed petitions circulated by 900 volunteers to place this nonpartisan initiative on the November ballot. Please talk to friends and family about what ranked-choice voting is and why it matters. Learn more about this movement at YesOn5.me. It’s important.

Jon Kimbell

Skowhegan


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