In 2016, Mainers decided that they wanted to use ranked-choice voting to elect their state and national representatives. They knew that RCV would allow them to express support for candidates they really liked without “wasting” their vote and would allow all candidates to compete on a more level field.
RCV would help reduce polarization and increase civility in politics. RCV would give voters more choice in the elections that will determine our children’s futures.
But, as a body, Maine’s legislators preferred elections as they have been — favoring the two major parties. They found reasons not to implement the people’s will. They passed a law that almost completely killed ranked-choice voting.
Fortunately, the supporters of ranked-choice voting are willing to do the difficult work necessary to keep RCV from dying. They are taking steps to undo the death sentence imposed by the Legislature. Signatures are being gathered right now to reinstate ranked-choice voting.
I spoke face-to-face with hundreds of Mainers in 2016 and hundreds more this year about RCV. It saddens and disturbs me to witness the growing number of people who have given up on politics. Citizens are sick and tired of legislators acting against the will of the people. Some disillusioned voters wouldn’t sign my petition, not because they don’t like ranked-choice voting, but because they didn’t believe in the political process any more.
That fact indicates how desperately ranked-choice voting is needed.
Ben Lounsbury, Auburn
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