AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Supporters of ranked-choice voting say they’re hopeful Maine’s relatively smooth experience with the system could spur others to give a try.
The state finished its first ranked-choice process Wednesday, when it named the winners of Democratic primaries for governor and the 2nd Congressional District. Ranked-choice voting was approved by the public in a 2016 referendum.
The system has voters rank candidates from first to last on the ballot. It’s currently used in 11 local jurisdictions around the country, as well as in Maine’s primaries and U.S. House and Senate races.
The president of electoral reform group FairVote says it’s key that Maine got through the process without major problems. More than 90 percent of ballots stayed in play until the last voting round.
