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Maine Supreme Court Rejects Ranked-Choice Voting Expansion

4/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled that expanding ranked-choice voting (RCV) to governor and legislative races violates the state constitution.
Elections must be decided by a plurality, the court said.
The court rejected RCV's final tally as a valid vote.
The League of Women Voters of Maine disagreed, arguing RCV is legal and popular.
The decision continues a decade-long debate over RCV since its 2016 introduction.

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Story summary

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled that expanding ranked-choice voting (RCV) to governor and legislative races violates the state constitution.
Elections must be decided by a plurality, the court said.
The court rejected RCV's final tally as a valid vote.
The League of Women Voters of Maine disagreed, arguing RCV is legal and popular.
The decision continues a decade-long debate over RCV since its 2016 introduction.