Law Court weighs what constitutes a 'vote,' other key questions in ranked choice voting hearing
Maine’s highest court is considering whether it is constitutional to expand ranked choice voting to general elections for governor, state representative and state senator.
The Supreme Judicial Court heard oral arguments Wednesday in Portland, after the Maine Legislature last month asked for an advisory opinion on LD 1666, which would expand the use of ranked choice voting.
Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill and a panel of five associate justices heard arguments that centered on the intentions behind the state’s original Constitution and what constitutes a complete vote.
Chrissy Hart, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Maine, which is advocating for the change, said she felt hopeful after hearing the arguments. But regardless of the outcome, she said the League will continue to educate voters about the voting method, which she described as being “more representative” and better exemplifying “the will of the voter.”
https://mainemorningstar.com/2026/04/01/law-court-weighs-what-constitutes-a-vote-other-key-questions-in-ranked-choice-voting-hearing/