Maine high court hears arguments for and against expansion of ranked-choice voting

Maine's high court takes up ranked-choice voting ahead of fall elections

Maine’s highest court revisited the issue of ranked-choice voting Wednesday as groups push to use the process in gubernatorial elections. Maine already uses ranked-choice voting in all federal elections but only in the general elections for governor and the Legislature. That’s because the Maine Constitution says those elections are decided by a “plurality” of votes. And in a 2017 advisory opinion, Maine’s Supreme Judicial Court determined that t…

Law Court weighs what constitutes a ‘vote,’ other key questions in ranked choice voting hearing

The justices of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court hear arguments on about whether it is constitutional for the state to expand ranked choice voting to elections for state offices on April 1, 2026. (Photo by Kaitlyn Budion/ Maine Morning Star)Maine’s highest court is considering whether it is constitutional to expand ranked choice voting to general elections for governor, state representative and state senator.  The Supreme Judicial Court heard or…

Maine high court hears arguments for and against expansion of ranked-choice voting

Wednesday's hearing came as lawmakers have asked the court to issue an advisory opinion in response to a bill that would expand the voting system for use in gubernatorial and legislative races.

Maine Supreme Judicial Court hears arguments in ranked-choice voting case

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court heard arguments Wednesday regarding the constitutionality of expanding ranked-choice voting to state general elections.

Maine Supreme Court weighs legality of expanding ranked-choice voting

Justices heard arguments from both sides around a bill that would define the winner of a ranked-choice election as the plurality winner.