Thank you for this explanation. If I can ask: why did the Maine GOP not take this to court before the election?
Can’t be any surprise that the Democrats would rig this to win all federal elections.
I’m not sure if the GOP took this court in the past or whether Maine’s legislature tried to deal with Rank Choice Voting, but a court ruled at some point that Rank Choice Voting was unconstitutional for state office such as governor, but it was OK for the U.S. Senate races in Maine and the races for the House of Representatives.
That had me scratching my head. If it’s unconstitutional for state races, how is it constitutional for federal races?
Congressman Poliquin is already challenging Rank Choice Voting in federal court, claiming that it is unconstitutional. I hope he succeeds.
In June, the democrats had Rank Choice Voting decide their primary for governor...there were six or seven candidates.
Attorney General Janet Mills won the primary and, unfortunately, the November election.
Conservative governor Paul LePage was term limited. He is re-locating to Florida, any will come back to Maine every April for the warmer weather months.
Gov. LePage has stated that he might move back to Maine in four years and run again for governor (a governor can serve more than two times, but only the first two terms can be consecutive).
Need to correct and elaborate on a couple of points made on this thread.
First, the Maine State Supreme Court did not rule it illegal for state races. They issued an opinion that they believed it was unconstitutional based on one word in our constitution that requires office holders to be elected by a plurality vs a majority. They cannot officially rule on its constitutionality until a case is brought before them and that cannot happen until someone who came in 1st on the first vote loses the final vote challenges the results. The legislature has determined that it cannot be used for state races until the constitution is changed.
Second, this state constitution issue did not affect the federal races thus the result. Again, there needs to be an aggrieved party to sue. That is why it is happening now. There is no federal law requiring majority or plurality, so Poliquin’s chance of success are slim.