WASHINGTON,
D.C. – Today, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled
that the state constitution does not permit expanding ranked-choice voting to
state elections, affirming the position of the RNC and the Maine Republican
Party. Last month, the RNC and Maine GOP filed a brief with the Court opposing
Democrats’ legislative attempt to expand ranked-choice voting.
“Maine’s
Democrats attempted to change the rules of this year’s election in violation of
the State Constitution,” said Republican Party Chairman Joe Gruters.
“The RNC will continue to fight against last-minute, unlawful attempts by
Democrats to change election rules. That’s why the RNC fought to stop this
illegal expansion of ranked-choice voting.”
Background:
- Today, the Maine Supreme
Judicial Court ruled
that the state constitution does not permit expanding ranked-choice voting
to state elections.
- Last month, the RNC filed
a brief with the Maine Supreme Judicial Court opposing an attempt
by Democrats in the Maine legislature to expand
ranked-choice voting.
- Earlier this year, the Maine
Legislature asked the Court to decide if LD
1666 – a bill to expand the state’s ranked-choice
voting system to general elections for state offices – is allowed under
the Maine Constitution.
- In 2017, the Maine Supreme
Judicial Court ruled that ranked-choice voting in general elections for
state offices violated
the State's constitution.
- Democrat Governor Janet Mills –
who was then Maine’s Attorney General – argued in 2017 that ranked-choice
voting in these elections would be unconstitutional.
- The RNC has previously fought
to protect Maine voters and secure the State’s elections by holding
Secretary of State Shenna Bellows accountable for failing
to maintain accurate voter rolls and by taking action to
prevent non-citizens from voting in state elections.
- In 2023, the RNC unanimously
adopted a resolution opposing ranked-choice voting
across the country.
- Stay up to date with the RNC’s election
integrity efforts here.
