In 2007, when John Baldacci was governor, five Republicans and five Democrats sponsored a bill to implement ranked-choice voting in Maine. Ranked-choice voting is simply a form of run-off voting. It has been supported by people of all political parties as well as independents and has been used for many decades in places around the nation and the world. As affirmed by the Maine Supreme Court, it is constitutional for use in the June primary elections for all state and federal races, and in the November general elections for the federal offices.

It is used for elections with more than two candidates to ensure a majority vote thereby eliminating vote-splitting and the spoiler effect so that winners more accurately reflect the actual will of the voters. The ballots are easy, and voters are empowered with more voice and more choice.

Please vote yes on Question 1 in June to support ranked-choice voting and to send a strong message in support all of our recent referendums, including Medicaid expansion, which passed with 59 percent of the vote and is also being blocked in Augusta. A yes on Question 1 vote in June will make it clear to Augusta that we don’t want them blocking the referendum laws passed by the people of Maine.

Ron Bilancia

Brewer


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