IN MAINE, RANKED-CHOICE VOTING WAS A REACTION TO GOP WINS. SUSAN COLLINS MIGHT BE ITS FIRST VICTIM.

The Intercept ^ | November 3 2020, 8:28 p.m. | Eoin Higgins

[Zhang Fei]

An Emerson College poll conducted between October 29 and 31 showed Gideon with a 48 percent to 42 percent lead over Collins, and 61 percent of supporters of both Savage and independent Max Linn, polling at 5 percent and 1 percent, respectively, would back Gideon on their second choice.

Collins entered the Senate in 1997 as one of Maine’s two independently minded Republican women senators alongside Olympia Snowe. The junior senator survived in the New England state as a politically savvy member of the GOP in a liberalizing region by touting her independence and reasonableness, but the tension between her party and constituents met its match in her support of President Donald Trump.

Gideon’s run focused as much on portraying Collins as out of touch with Mainers as it did on health care and a higher minimum wage. The incumbent’s vote for Trump Supreme Court nominees Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 and Amy Coney Barrett last week was a decisive moment in her career, allowing Gideon to paint Collins as more beholden to the president than her constituents.

“Lisa Savage is absolutely right,” said Kat Calvin, founder and executive director of Spread the Vote. “Ranked-choice voting is actually something that a lot of us want.”

Collins recognized the danger the runoff system presented to her candidacy early on, telling the New York Times on Sunday that she was fighting for a clear majority on Election Day to head off any chance of second choices being a factor in the race.

“My goal is to get 50 percent on Election Day, and ranked-choice voting would not come into play,” said Collins. “So that’s what I hope.”

The Maine system was put in place partly in response to former Republican Gov. Paul LePage winning the governorship twice without a majority. He took advantage

[Zhang Fei]

With 84% counted, Collins is running ahead of Trump by 7%, and Sara Gideon by 8%. Looks like her vote against ACB paid off, and the GOP is closer to retaining its Senate majority.

[Fido969]

Under RCV Link’s votes might go to Collins.

[shelterguy]

I would much rather have a useless mush like Collins and keep the majority than lose it to a liberal democrat.

[dp0622]

OR it made no difference.

I remember how Trump dipped 8 points in the polls after announcing he was gonna replace rbg with Barrett.

Still too many on the right think that surrendering ever somehow justifies the end.

Yeah you pick your battles, but this was a huge one and I think she would be in the same spot even without her cowardly move.

[tsowellfan]

As long as she remains above 51% she’s safe

[Parody]

Can’t say this “victim” has got me too incredibly heartbroken...

[Alberta's Child]

Call her a useless mush if you want, but based on political trends over the years I would say that a Republican who can win Senate races in New England for as long as Collins has is a formidable, savvy political figure.

[tsowellfan]

Collins would be the second victim (first Senator). We lost a good conservative Congressman, Bruce Poliquin in 2016 when RCV first kicked in.

[shelterguy]

I recall many Freepers wanting her gone as if they would ever elect a conservative form that area.
The Senate Majority is the most important thing.

[Alberta's Child]

I generally love Freepers, but a lot of them are morons. :-)

[pghbjugop]

Its some if Collins gets 50+ 1 she wins and dems cannot take Senate, period. If she wins with less than 50 she loses with rank voting, still good chance to keep senate, but much easier to lose it.

[nutmeg]

That Poliquin loss was outrageous. Ranked Choice Voting is yet another way for the ‘RATs to cheat!

[Zhang Fei]

[I recall many Freepers wanting her gone as if they would ever elect a conservative form that area.
The Senate Majority is the most important thing.]

---

When Trump said he thought some Senators weren’t worth saving, he was using reverse psychology. He understood he was dragging blue/purple state Senators down. So he dissociated himself to get independents who despise him to vote for GOP candidates like Collins.

[Steven Scharf]

Headline is wrong. She would be the second victim. Bruce Poliquin two years ago was the first victim.

Last results I saw has her leading 50.7 to 42.6% with 80% reporting. Maine’s largest city, Portling has reported 100% including absentee/early voting so the one place that could hurt her is already in.

Even if she goes below 50%, it is likely the first round of ranking will put her over 50%.

Susan got almost 2,200 more votes in Portland than Donald Trump.

[Steven Scharf]

As long as she remains above 51% she’s safe

Actually 50% plus 1.

[capydick]

As long as she remains above 51% she’s safe

Right and it looks like she will win, good on her. Now - let's do what corporations do and groom a good candidate to succeed her starting in January 2021.

[tsowellfan]

Would hate to waste Paul LePage on her. He’s talking seriously about running for governor against liberal Gov Mills.

We will definitely be looking for someone to primary her.

[fortheDeclaration]

agreed!

[gcparent]

We needed her for kavanaugh, but not for ACB. We need her to keep her Republican senate seat.

[ronnie raygun]

Rank choice voting is another rat voter fraud scam to guarantee a losers victory. How comfortable we have become on may election nights when we already know California Oregon Washington state Maine Connecticut New York and new jersey are not even figured into a win for the republicans and is a guarantee every 4 years for the rats. This is what they want. Once this has been achieved why have an election? why vote? we already know who loses, we do!