Maine Supreme Court Rules Ranked-Choice Voting Expansion Unconstitutional

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court recently ruled that expanding ranked-choice voting (RCV) in the state is unconstitutional. The court evaluated a pending bill, LD 1666, which aimed to extend RCV to governor and legislative races. The proposed legislation sought to determine winners based solely on final vote tallies, rather than counting individual ranked preferences.

Maine Supreme Court Decision

On a unanimous basis, the court stated that the Maine Constitution specifies that the first candidate to achieve a “plurality” of votes should win. The justices explained that the constitution does not permit the tabulations needed for a ranked-choice runoff process. They noted, “LD 1666’s conception of a vote is inconsistent with the constitutional concept of a ‘vote.’”

Legislative Background

Despite the ruling, LD 1666 had considerable support within the Democratic-controlled Legislature, prompting lawmakers to request an evaluation of its constitutionality. This decision is significant as Maine approaches the 2026 elections, making the adherence to constitutional language critical.

• Ranked-choice voting is permitted in primaries for governor and in congressional elections.
• The majority of Maine voters approved RCV in a 2016 ballot initiative.
• The previous advisory opinion from the court in 2017 blocked RCV in gubernatorial and legislative elections.

Reactions to the Ruling

Senator Cameron Reny, who sponsored the bill, expressed disappointment. She emphasized the importance of making sure laws represent the voters’ wishes. “Maine voters made clear at the ballot box when they adopted ranked-choice voting that they want a stronger, more representative democracy,” Reny remarked.

Conversely, Tim Woodcock, an attorney for various Republican groups, praised the court’s opinion as providing essential guidance. He affirmed that the ruling offered clarity regarding the use of ranked-choice voting.

Continuing Debate

The League of Women Voters of Maine contested the ruling, insisting that ranked-choice voting aligns with the state’s constitutional framework. Executive Director Chrissy Hart maintained that RCV is respected among Maine voters and remains essential for electing candidates with substantial support.

Republican leaders, including Jim Deyermond and Joe Gruters, commended the court’s decision, seeing it as a protective measure against potential manipulation of election rules ahead of the 2026 elections.

Conclusion

This latest ruling adds another chapter to the ongoing debate over ranked-choice voting in Maine. As discussions continue, the focus remains on ensuring electoral processes uphold the principles enshrined in the state’s constitution.