So when you vote you rank your top 3 picks, you can choose the same person. If a candidate doesn't get a majority vote in the first balloting then they go to 2nd choice, then third if needed. So basically you get 3 choices for who you want and it can have a huge impact.
The dems pushed it through after Paul Lepage got elected twice, they had a Dem and an independent running on the same ticket. The independent didn't get the Dem nomination so said fuck it, I'm running any ways. Think RFK.
So Lepage got elected with like 45 percent of the votes while the other two split the liberal vote. They were in an uproar because he didn't have a majority so they shoved rank choice through so it never happens again.
Weird they didn't have an issue with it when Clinton got elected and Bush/Perot split the conservative vote.
It's only allowed for certain elections and not all though. The Maine Supreme Court shot it down as unconstitutional for the governor election but they have been fighting tooth and nail to get it changed.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine is advancing a proposal that would make it the second state to elect its governor using ranked choice voting, and it is expected for a vote in the state Legislature in the coming weeks after receiving a key committee approval.
Maine and Alaska both use the ranked voting format for congressional and presidential elections, and cities in many other states are embracing it for mayoral and other elections. Alaska uses a version of it for governor.
Proponents of ranked voting say it prevents “spoiler” candidates and promotes cooperation, civility and political moderates.
In Maine, proponents have long pushed for the format to be used in governor and state legislative races, but that would require an amendment to the Maine Constitution.
The Maine Legislature’s legal affairs committee approved a proposal in May to do that. The next step is for a vote by the full Legislature, with two-thirds majority approval to pass, which is currently in session and could end this month. Then it would need direct approval from a majority of state voters.
Maine considers ranked choice voting for governor races
A proposal that would make Maine the second state in the country with ranked choice voting for governor is due for a vote.
apnews.com
