Full Breakdown
Maine Supreme Judicial Court Rules Against Ranked Choice Voting Expansion
4/7/2026, 12:47:56 PM
Court Ruling on Ranked Choice Voting Legislation
On April 6, 2026, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court unanimously ruled that a proposed bill, LD 1666, aimed at expanding ranked choice voting (RCV) to general elections for governor, state representatives, and state senators, is unconstitutional. The court's opinion emphasized that the Maine Constitution's language provides "strong and convincing reasons" against the bill, stating that the presumption of constitutionality has been overcome. Although the bill had passed initial votes in both the Maine Senate and House of Representatives, it was tabled in the Senate pending the court's ruling.
Legal Basis of the Ruling
The court's decision focused on the constitutional definition of a "vote," which requires local election officials to "sort, count and declare" votes. The justices noted that the ranked choice tabulation process would necessitate additional rounds of counting supervised by the Secretary of State's Office, rather than local officials, which they deemed inconsistent with the Maine Constitution's meaning of a "vote." The opinion highlighted that the Constitution specifies that a winner must be determined in a single round, contrasting with the ranked choice method that involves multiple rounds of counting.
Responses from Key Figures
Maine Governor Janet Mills expressed disappointment with the ruling but acknowledged its significance. Senator Cameron Reny (D-Briston), who sponsored LD 1666, stated, "Today’s decision is not the outcome I hoped for, but it doesn’t change why this effort mattered." House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) also expressed disappointment, emphasizing the desire for governors to be elected by a majority of voters.
Conversely, Republican leaders, including Senate Republican Leader Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook), praised the court's decision, arguing that legislative Democrats attempted to circumvent constitutional requirements. Stewart stated, "Today is a good day for those who believe in both the sanctity of our elections and the constitution."
Advocacy and Future Implications
Despite the ruling, advocacy groups such as the League of Women Voters of Maine continue to support ranked choice voting. Executive Director Chrissy Hart expressed disagreement with the court's assessment, asserting that RCV is lawful within the framework of Maine's Constitution and remains popular among voters.
The ruling does not affect elections where ranked choice voting is already in use, including U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, presidential races, and gubernatorial primaries. Advocates for RCV hope to find a lawful path to uphold the will of Maine voters, as expressed in the 2016 referendum that initially adopted ranked choice voting.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the Maine Supreme Judicial Court's ruling is definitive regarding the constitutionality of LD 1666, there are differing perspectives on the implications of ranked choice voting. Advocates argue that RCV enhances democratic representation, while opponents maintain that it complicates the electoral process and undermines constitutional principles. The debate surrounding RCV in Maine is likely to continue, with potential future legislative efforts aimed at addressing the court's concerns.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Today’s decision is not the outcome I hoped for, but it doesn’t change why this effort mattered,” — Sen. Cameron Reny (D-Briston)
- “The justices were right to act quickly and declare this highly questionable rewrite of election law unconstitutional.” — Sen. Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook)
- “RCV is the best method in Maine to elect candidates that receive broad support, and RCV has long been popular among Maine voters.” — Chrissy Hart, Executive Director, League of Women Voters of Maine
