OK, I don’t get it. I need simple things and that is what I thought voters got with ranked-choice voting. It’s simple — just put down your choice (1 – 2 – 3) on the form and the computer does the work of figuring out who gets the lowest number of votes and is justly eliminated. The votes cast for the eliminated candidate are then re-assigned to the other candidates who were those voters’ second choices. Then things are counted again. The winner will have more than 50 percent of the votes. It’s easy — just like a runoff election, only instant, and the voters of Maine decided back in November that it was the new law.
Oops! Now the state Constitution needs to be changed (back to what it used to say) so that the winner of the election needs a majority, not just a plurality. The Constitution has been changed many times through the state’s history, so why is that so hard and why do some want to thwart the will of the voters? After all, this referendum resulted in the second largest yes vote on a referendum in Maine’s history.
Legislators should remember that they do represent the voters who said yes, since the matter is settled. Not following the will of the people could have consequences for those state representatives and senators who really do care about the welfare of the state.
Don Fellows, Lisbon
Copy the Story LinkSend questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.