One Democratic lawmaker has proposed making major changes to how Maine’s primary elections are held by instituting a unique and controversial method of ranking choices now well-known to the state’s voters.
Under LD 1422, sponsored by Sen. Joe Baldacci (D-Penobscot), Maine’s most important elections would be determined using open primaries where ballots would be tabulated using ranked choice voting.
With an open primary system, all candidates appear on the same primary ballot regardless of their political party. That would allow voters to cross over and make choices in a party in which they are neither registered nor for whom they tend to vote.
In practice, this means that all voters would receive the same primary ballot on election day listing all candidates for a given office on the same ballot, including unenrolled candidates and declared write-ins.
Sen. Baldacci’s proposal would then see these open primary ballots tabulated using ranked choice voting. Depending upon the office, either the top two or top four candidates would then go on to appear on the general election ballot.
Theoretically, this means that multiple candidates from the same political party could appear on the general election ballot while other parties may be left off entirely.
Races for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House would see four candidates move on to the general election, while races for governorship, State Senate, and State House would see only two candidates move forward.
For these races, write-in candidates would not be accepted during the general election.
Click Here for More Information on LD 1422
Nationwide, systems similar to this have only been implemented in only three states: California, Washington, and Alaska.
Nebraska currently utilizes this method as well, but it only does so for state legislative races. Louisiana does not have primary elections at all for state and legislative races, instead holding run-offs if a single candidate does not receive at least 50 percent support.
Right now, Maine has a semi-open primary system where unenrolled voters are given the opportunity to vote in the partisan primary of their choice. Voters who are registered with a political party must participate in their own party’s primary.
A public hearing for LD 1422 has been scheduled for April 16 at 10am in Room 437 of the State House.
Testimony may also be submitted in writing online at www.mainelegislature.org/testimony.
Most likely it would just solidify the strangle hold the progressives have in this state. Another stupid idea from California being imported by Maine.
This bill is to ensure that ALL “ELECTED” officials are Democrats COMRADES. REJOICE!!
” instituting a unique and controversial method
of ranking choices”
No comment needed.
Look up jungle primary that California has, Baldacci’s bill is far worse.
Even in the land of fruits and nuts RCV isn’t allowed aside for a few municipal elections. How’s about Maine’s far left politicians migrating to California where their policies might be better received?
Absolutely not. The deck is stacked enough in Marxist Maine.
RCV is A SCAM and should be abolished. Funny, the dems want to get rid of the electoral college and go with majority votes to award delegates for a presidential election, but insist on keeping RCV
lets see… how can we screw republicans today and perpetuate our team…..
I wish Baldacci would slip, fall , and break his neck . He’s done more than enough damage to the State of Maine . THIS would be the icing on the cake . UNBELIEVABLE !
Abolish Ranked Choice Voting,…….
Democrats will absolutely LOVE this cluster f@*k !
And I had been thinking that things in Maine couldn’t get much worse .
This bone head idea won’t be helping anyone but the habitually confused .
This is another power play by the people who already control everything .
It is hard to tell which family has done more damage to Maine the Mills crime family or the Baldacci crime family.
This is for you baldinkweed🖕 !!!
Hands of our elections!! You p.o.s
So the question is why even have elections if everybody votes in the primary? Doesn’t sound like there’s a lot of savings holding two elections. Oh wait I get it its not about saving money.
How convenient, now that Maine democ🐀🐀🐀🐀 real intentions have been thoroughly revealed, called into play and their popularity, amongst themselves no less, diminished to chicken scratch, they propose an idea that would HIDE their political identity on election ballots. Thieves, thieves, tramps and thieves !!
Maine voters, both parties, if you continue to fall for and accept this smoke and mirrors RCV BS, you will eventually fall for anything ! Does the word “Dictatorship” mean anything at all to any of you ?? Everyday patriotic democrats in Maine do not realize it yet, but this (dictatorship) is the end goal of the DNC. Please vote to put this out of control train back on it’s track. The very survival of our State and our Country is at stake here.
I can see it now . The governors race in 2026 will be between Hanna Pingree and Sheena Bellows .
That is exactly the way the democrats want it . This is absolute lunacy . Another example of one party rule brought to us by the Maine Democrat Party . Don’t we have any attorneys in Maine that have the balls to litigate this travesty of democracy ?
Momma Baldacci’s is gone. Now this Baldacci should also go and quit wasting the tax payers’ money.
As long as the votes continue to be “counted” IN SECRET, how will this make any difference?
Imagine the look on Joes face when all the candidates are conservatives. He will be changing his tune, just like they were happy with his brother winning with less than 50% but LePage wins and the dems have to change the rules to benefit them, RCV
This is sheer poison! I have no idea how the Republican minority in both chambers is going to defeat this. This puts a strangle hold on democrat rule ensuring that they remain in power for a ing time. Of course someday their voters may come to realize how they have been misled buy the democrats and the Maine media.
NO RANK CHOICE VOTING. The open primary might be worthwhile since there are so many unenrolled. Elections still require citizens to do their homework on the candidate & the proposed policies they want us to live under. Those who don’t do their homework can still be paid off & bussed in to vote. The advertising businesses would have more money coming in.