ME-GOV: How Maine Democrats plan to implement ranked-choice voting for governor this fall

Democrats in the Maine legislature began a new push on Tuesday to urge the state Supreme Court to revisit a nine-year-old opinion saying that general elections for state office can’t be decided using ranked-choice voting.

Lawmakers seeking to force the issue passed a bill explicitly saying that general elections for governor and the legislature can be conducted using RCV.

They also approved a separate resolution requesting that the state’s highest court issue a new advisory opinion about whether this system can be implemented. They’re able to do so because of an unusual provision in the state constitution saying that justices “shall be obliged to give their opinion upon important questions of law, and upon solemn occasions” if asked by the governor or either chamber of the legislature.

The effort comes amid a packed race to succeed Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, who cannot seek a third term. But while RCV rules will be in place for the June 9 primaries for both parties, candidates need only a plurality of the vote to prevail in the fall general election



https://www.the-downballot.com/p/morning-digest-how-maine-democrats