Voting reform efforts

[lpetrich]

Constitutional amendment sought for Maine's ranked-choice voting | State | conwaydailysun.com

Mainers have used ranked choice voting in federal elections but can't use it for state races because it runs afoul of the state's constitution.

Democratic lawmakers are making a push to change that in the new legislative session.

A proposal filed by Sen. David Miramant, D-Knox, would amend the state constitution to allow ranked choice voting in state and local races. He said the voting system is working and should be allowed for all elections.

It will need a 2/3 majority to pass in Maine's House and Senate, and it will have to be approved by Maine's Governor.

Miramant said he expects a fight from Republican lawmakers, who have largely opposed the efforts to implement ranked choice voting.

The voting system helped Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden defeat Republican incumbent Bruce Poliquin in 2018, sparking a legal battle over the results that was eventually tossed out.

The Republicans seems like sore losers here.