Seacoast
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To the Editor:
I am writing in support of Ranked Choice Voting, a simple, common sense reform to our voting system that puts power back in the hands of voters to restore majority rule and makes politicians more accountable to us.
As shown below, in 9 of the last 11 races for Maine’s governor, candidates were elected by less than half of voters. In 5 of those races, candidates were elected by less than 40 percent of voters. In a representative democracy, our leaders should be elected by more than half of us, so they represent the people and are accountable to us, not narrow political factions.
1974 - James Longley (I) - 39.7 percent
1978 - Joseph Brennan (D) - 47.8 percent
1982 - Joseph Brennan (D) - 61.9 percent
1986 - John McKernan (R) - 39.9 percent
1990 - John McKernan (R) - 46.7 percent
1994 - Angus King (I) - 35.4 percent
1998 - Angus King (I) - 58.6 percent
2002 - John Baldacci (D) - 47.2 percent
2006 - John Baldacci (D) - 38.1 percent
2010 - Paul LePage (R) - 37.6 percent
2014 - Paul LePage (R) - 48.2 percent
“Ranked Choice Voting restores majority rule and gives more power to voters. If your favorite candidate can't win, your vote is instantly counted for your second choice, so you never feel like your vote is wasted.
"Mainers have often taken the lead on important measures to improve and strengthen our democracy. Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Greens and Libertarians across Maine are coming together in support of this nonpartisan initiative to talk to friends and family about what ranked choicevoting is and why it matters. I encourage readers to learn more about this movement at www.fairvotemaine.org.
William A. Franks
Wells
