How ranked choice voting is impacting the Maine primary
This article about the Maine primary was originally published on May 7, and was last updated on May 8.
On June 9, Maine will hold its fifth primary election with ranked choice voting (RCV). In crowded races for governor and U.S. House, RCV will let Mainers vote their conscience without fear of “wasting” their vote. The Maine primary also demonstrates how RCV reduces toxic campaigning and encourages candidates to show common ground with their opponents.
Read on for details about the Maine primary, how ranked choice voting is making it better, and my personal take as a born-and-raised Mainer.
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Crowded fields and positive campaigning define Maine gubernatorial primary
Both the Republican and Democratic gubernatorial primaries boast crowded fields, with five Democrats and eight Republicans vying to replace outgoing Democratic Governor Janet Mills.
In a choose-one race, voters would feel pressure to sift through the numerous polls and pick a candidate with a strong chance to win. But with RCV, Mainers can simply vote their conscience; if their top choice can’t win, their vote counts for their next choice.
The race also shows how ranked choice voting encourages more positive campaigning. In RCV races, candidates can benefit from being ranked second or third by voters ranking another candidate first – so candidates often highlight common ground with opponents instead of making personal attacks.
In a Democratic gubernatorial debate, for instance, candidate Shenna Bellows spoke at length about what she likes about each of her opponents – calling them “friends” and naming specific policies on which she agrees with them. As Bellows notes, “because of ranked choice voting… people at home can vote for all of us.”
The other candidates also spoke positively about their rivals. Hannah Pingree noted that “we agree on a lot” and “many of us are friends.” Angus King III said “we are really lucky to have so many people of good character and integrity on this stage.” Nirav Shah added that “on matters of policy, we are remarkably aligned.”
Republican candidates cross-endorse on debate stage
The Republican primary has likewise seen the impact of ranked choice voting. During a gubernatorial debate on May 7, candidates David Jones and Ben Midgley cross-endorsed each other – asking voters to rank the other candidate second. Jones and Midgley highlighted their shared background as business owners. Jones said it’s important “that we get a CEO who knows Maine and loves Maine and will make Maine great again,” and Midgley called David “a fantastic guy, a solid and accomplished business man.” On the same day, candidate Robert Wessels encouraged his voters to rank Jonathan Bush second.
In a Republican debate the night before, most candidates said they would rank the other Republicans on their ballots (one had not yet decided). Candidate Owen McCarthy highlighted his appreciation for his rivals, saying “if I’m first, I’m hiring all these guys.” Jones directly appealed to voters to be their backup choice, saying “if i’m not your first, make me second.”
Cross-endorsements are a powerful example of how RCV makes campaigns more positive, as candidates strive to show common ground with their opponents and earn voters’ backup choices. Just last month, Washington, DC – which will use RCV for the first time this year – saw its first cross-endorsement in a Democratic District Council primary.
Community organizations embrace ranking candidates
Community organizations in Maine are also embracing the power that RCV gives them to support multiple primary candidates. For example, the Maine Sierra Club, Maine Service Employees Association, and Maine Education Association have each issued joint or ranked endorsements in the gubernatorial primary.
The candidates endorsed by the Sierra Club – Bellows, Pingree, and Troy Jackson – even appeared together at a joint event, where they continued to discuss each other in positive terms. Pingree said that “we are truly friends,” and highlighted RCV as a reason there is so much positivity in the Maine primary:
By ranked choice, you can sort of say, rank me Number 1, her Number 2, him Number 3, or the other way around. And I actually would say, for us, this is a campaign strategy that is… a nicer way to campaign.
2nd Congressional District primary
Democratic Rep. Jared Golden is retiring this year, setting up the first open-seat race with RCV in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. Golden won the seat in 2018, when he defeated incumbent Republican Bruce Poliquin in the state’s first use of RCV.
Open-seat contests usually draw crowded fields on both sides, but former Republican Governor Paul LePage is running unopposed for the GOP nomination.
The Democratic primary is more competitive, with four Democrats running to replace Golden. A Pan Atlantic Research poll found State Senator Joe Baldacci leading with 36% of first choices – followed by State Auditor Matthew Dunlap and congressional aide Jordan Wood (candidate Paige Loud was not included in the poll). 38% of voters remain undecided.
With ranked choice voting, voters in this race will be able to vote honestly, without worrying about the polls or which candidates are the most viable.
My take
I was born and raised in Washington County, Maine – squarely in the 2nd Congressional District. Though I’ve lived in the Washington, DC area for 12 years, I’m a Mainer in my bones no matter how long I spend outside the state.
Core to being a Mainer is self-reliance in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s sense – knowing what you stand for and not being swayed by the social pressure to conform. Mainers also believe in building strong communities – supporting each other even when we disagree. These values are part of why Maine has been a leader in democracy reform, from a robust ballot initiative process to being the first state to adopt RCV. We want everyone to be heard and to speak what they really believe, not what they think we want to hear.
RCV lets Mainers be self-reliant in elections, and vote our conscience without fear that our vote will be wasted. Mainers stand for what we believe in, and demand integrity and authenticity from our elected officials. RCV means we do not need to compromise our values.
To learn more about RCV in the Pine Tree State, visit the League of Women Voters of Maine.
