FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2016
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF MAINE STATEMENT ON RANKED CHOICE VOTING AND CONSTITUTIONALITY
“We understand that there is an open question of whether Ranked Choice Voting would be constitutional in Maine,” said Jill Ward, President of the League of Women Voters of Maine. There is no consensus answer to that question. In 2011, after three years of careful study, the League of Women Voters of Maine endorsed Ranked Choice Voting because it puts more power in the hands of voters, ensures those elected to office have the broadest support, promotes civility in campaigns, and may serve to reduce voter cynicism and increase voter participation. These are values we support and believe would improve our election system. If the people of Maine want RCV for the many civic benefits that it would confer — and the League of Women Voters is in this camp — the surest means to that end would be to pass RCV at the polls in 2016. Should there be a review by the courts that results in an adverse court opinion, we would support a constitutional amendment to allow RCV to be implemented in time for the 2018 election.”
For more information about LWVME, visit www.lwvme.org.
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The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership in the League is open to men and women of all ages. Founded in 1920, it is one of America’s most trusted grassroots organizations.
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