What’s the problem with our current voting system?
Our current system does not elect majority winners.
Races with more than two candidates are common in Maine and often result in winners elected
by fewer than half of voters. In 9 of the last 11 races for governor, candidates were elected by
fewer than half of voters. In 5 of those races, candidates were elected by fewer than 40% of
voters. In the last 40 years, none of Maine’s governors have been elected to their first terms by a
majority of voters.
The nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Maine has endorsed RCV as the most
cost-effective solution to restore majority rule and to give voters more power.
What are the benefits of voting with a ranked choice ballot?
1. More Power for Voters. Your voice matters more with a ranked ballot. You have the
power to express your opinions about more than one candidate. If your favorite candidate
can't win, your vote is instantly counted for the candidate you ranked as your second
choice, so you never feel like your vote is wasted.
2. Restores Majority Rule. RCV ensures that the candidate with the most votes and the
broadest support wins, so voters get what they want.
3. Eliminates Vote Splitting. RCV gives you the freedom to vote for the candidate you like
the best without worrying that you will help to elect the candidate you like the least.
4. Reduces Incentives for Negative Campaigning. Candidates are encouraged to seek
second choice rankings from voters whose favorite candidate is somebody else. You are
less likely to rank as your second choice a candidate who has issued personal attacks
against your favorite candidate.
5. More Choice for Voters. RCV levels the playing field for all candidates and encourages
candidates to take their case directly to you with a focus on the issues.
What does a ranked choice ballot look like? (This is graphic I couldn't paste)
How does RCV work?
RCV gives you the power to rank candidates from favorite to least
favorite. On election night all the votes are counted to determine first choices, just like now. If
one candidate receives a majority of votes, they win. If no candidate receives a majority, the
candidate with the fewest first choice rankings is eliminated. If your favorite candidate is
eliminated, your vote is instantly counted for your second choice. This process repeats until the
field of candidates is narrowed and the candidate with the broadest support wins.
What would the citizen initiative do?
If enacted by Maine voters in November 2016, the
citizen initiative would give voters the power to rank candidates running for U.S. Senate, U.S.
House, Governor, Maine Senate and Maine House beginning in 2018. RCV would be used to
give voters more power in primary and general elections. Voters could rank as many or as few
candidates as they like. The citizen initiative would create a more representative democracy that
restores majority rule and empowers voters.
Is RCV a new idea?
RCV has been used for more than 120 years by hundreds of governments
and private associations. RCV was invented in New England in 1871. It was first used in an 1893
election. Ranked ballots are recommended by Roberts’ Rules of Order. RCV has been used to
elect the mayor of Portland since 2011. RCV legislation has been introduced in the Maine
Legislature since 2001 with growing support among Republican, Democratic and Independent
lawmakers.
How did this initiative come about?
RCV legislation was first introduced in the Maine
Legislature when Independent Angus King was governor; it was introduced when Democrat
John Baldacci was governor; it has been introduced since Paul LePage took office. Each
subsequent bill received increased support from Republican, Democratic, and Independent
lawmakers.
In 2008, members of the League of Women Voters of Maine began studying possible solutions
to restore majority rule, eliminate vote splitting and give voters more power. In 2011, the League
endorsed RCV through a consensus process that involved their membership statewide. In 2013,
the League convened a working group of civic leaders and legal scholars that developed
language for this citizen initiative.
The Committee for RCV was formed in October 2014 to collect signatures for the citizen
initiative.
Who supports RCV?
The nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Maine has led the effort to
enact RCV in Maine. The Portland Press Herald and the Brunswick Times Record have
editorialized in support of RCV. Hundreds of business, labor civic and faith leaders including
Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Greens and Libertarians from across Maine have
endorsed RCV. Citizen empowerment groups Common Cause and FairVote also support
RCV. Prominent backers include 2008 presidential rivals Democrat Barack Obama and
Republican John McCain, who said that RCV “will lead to good government because voters will
elect leaders who have the support of a majority. Elected leaders will be more likely to listen to
all.”
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