Maine Ballot Initiative
Maine electoral reformers delivered over 70,000 signatures, mostly gathered by volunteers, to the Maine Secretary of State in Augusta. The Committee for Ranked Choice Voting, a grassroots group of Maine citizens, has garnered broad support from across the political spectrum, all with a singular focus: uphold majority rule and give voters a stronger voice in elections.
The signatures move the citizens initiative for ranked choice voting (RCV, also called instant runoff voting) a big step closer to being on the ballot in November 2016. Prospectively, the first use of RCV for all state and congressional primary and general elections will happen in 2018. Speakers at a press conference to submit the petition signatures included Polly Ward with the League of Women Voters of Maine, former state senators Dick Woodbury (I) and Peter Mills (R), state representative Diane Russell (D), and deputy mayor of Brewer Beverly Uhlenhake (D).
The campaign has also released a video describing the benefits of RCV in Maine:
Ranked Choice Voting in Portland, Maine
Ranked choice voting was used for the first time in Portland, Maine to elect the mayor in November 2011. The city voted to use ranked choice voting in November 2010 at the same time they decided to have an elected rather than an appointed mayor position. The position of Mayor in Portland had not been elected for 88 years.
The high interest in the election made it very competitive, with 15 candidates running and voter turnout about 50% higher than election officials predicted. All evidence suggests voters adjusted well to the new ballot, and reactions to the use of RCV were overwhelmingly positive.
FairVote staff members Drew Spencer and Elizabeth Hudler spoke with Mayor Mike Brennan in the summer of 2013. He described how the use of ranked choice voting made his and the other candidates' campaigns more positive and inclusive, while giving every voter a stake in the outcome.
Voter Education
FairVote’s newspaper ad
TV news explanation with Beanie Babies
Commentary by Nathan Smith, former charter commission member
Voter Education Website by the League of Young Voters and FairVote www.PortlandVotes123.com
League of Women Voters voter guide and bookmark
League of Young Voters flyer
Election Analysis
In the final count of ballots in Portland, there were only 32 invalid ballots out of 20,212 ballots cast, or 0.16%. Also, the winner of the election, Michael Brennan, earned most first choices and was also the most successful at reaching out to supporters of other candidates and gaining 2nd, 3rd, and 4th choice votes.
FairVote Round by Round Analysis
More election observations from election observer Dorothy Scheeline.
Exit Survey of Early Voters
