Ranked Choice Voting Expansion in Maine

This refresher on Ranked Choice Voting covers how Maine came to lead the nation on RCV reform. We'll cover how we got here, why it matters, the current state of play, and what it means for the midterms. At the end, there will be time for questions and discussions. 

The Maine Legislature passed a bill that would finally expand Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) to include state legislative and gubernatorial races. Maine voters approved for the full use of RCV in 2016; however, an advisory opinion by the Maine Supreme Court in 2017 concluded that RCV conflicted with the plurality language in the Maine State Constitution. 

This new bill has been written to be explicit and clear. Before it becomes official, legislators requested a solemn occasion, and the Maine Supreme Judicial Court will review the policy and ensure it passes constitutional muster. If it passes the finish line, it will be implemented in time for the November 2026 election. Jamie Kilbreth, former Chief Deputy Attorney General of Maine, recently wrote this opinion piece on why it's needed in Maine. He writes, "Maine has long been a leader in democratic innovation. Ranked‑choice voting is now part of our civic fabric."