AUGUSTA — Protected by Maine’s high court, a key group of Democrats looks open to eventually joining Republicans in repealing the state’s pioneering ranked-choice voting law before the 2018 election. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court issued a unanimous opinion in May finding the law unconstitutional after it passed with 52 percent support from voters in 2016, saying it violates […]
elections
Posted inMaine
Analysis: What’s next for ranked-choice voting in Maine?
AUGUSTA — The implementation of ranked-choice voting hangs in limbo. The system, which election reform advocates have called a “better way to vote,” could be headed back to voters or could die at the hands of the Legislature, depending on what happens with two 11th-hour bills allowed into the legislative process on Thursday. Maine voters […]
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Posted inMaine
Angus King worried Russia will tamper with U.S. election results
AUGUSTA — If the Russians or anyone else want to tamper with the results of an election, they’re not going to get far in Maine. Since the state relies on paper ballots for nearly all of its voting, Secretary of State Matt Dunlap said Monday, Mainers should feel confident that nobody can undercut the will […]
Posted inLetters
Public vote means nothing
After reading the Associated Press story “What’s in your wallet” (Sun Journal, May 11), it has become quite apparent that public voting is only a formality and does not hold water any better than a sieve. If people are to vote, they need to be educated on what they are voting for, and its ramifications, […]
Posted inMaine
Eliot Cutler plans to help independent candidates
Next year will bring a key election for independents in the state: Mainers passed a first-in-the-nation system of ranked-choice voting in 2016 and while it’s stuck in the state’s high court over constitutional questions, it may give non-party candidates a lift in future elections. Under such a system, independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler would likely have […]
Posted inFranklin
Selectmen discuss safety, cleanup issues for upcoming marathon
KINGFIELD — The annual Sugarloaf Marathon on May 21 is expected to bring thousands of visitors to town, selectmen learned at their meeting Monday night. Event organizers shared their plans to make the 35th year for the state’s oldest continuously run marathon as safe and well-organized as possible. Proceeds from sponsorships have raised $75,000 over the past […]
Posted inMaine
Maine judiciary warns against ballot question reform
AUGUSTA — Maine’s judicial branch is warning lawmakers that a proposal to reform ballot questions could jeopardize the separation of powers. Maine Public reports judicial branch spokeswoman Mary Ann Lynch took the rare step of testifying against the bill this week. Republican Sen. Eric Brakey’s bill would allow the Legislature, governor and attorney general to […]
Posted inMaine
Jared Golden seeks to make voter registration ‘automatic’
AUGUSTA — Hoping to boost voter registration, a Lewiston Democrat wants to add anyone doing business with the Department of Motor Vehicles to the voter rolls automatically. Rep. Jared Golden, the Democratic whip, told colleagues that Maine has one of the highest voter participation rates in the country but could get more people to the […]
Posted inMaine
Ranked choice voting coming to Maine unless Legislature says no
AUGUSTA — Whatever the state Supreme Court advises about whether ranked choice voting violates Maine’s Constitution, the new voting method would apparently still apply to primaries and congressional elections. “The majority of the elections should be governed by this in 2018,” said Kate Knox of Bernstein Shur, representing the Committee for Ranked Choice Voting that […]
Posted inMaine
Legislature eyes bill that would allow recall elected officials
Spurred in part by public frustration at having no way to oust Gov. Paul LePage after a series of embarrassing comments, lawmakers are taking a look at a measure that would allow the recall of elected officials in Maine. Its sponsor, Sen. Justin Chenette, D-Saco, said this week he wants “to give power back into […]