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.