May 23, 2017

Maine Supreme Court kills ranked choice voting

Press-Herald - Maine’s highest court found Tuesday that the ranked choice voting system passed at referendum last November violates the Maine constitution.

In its advisory opinion, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court acknowledges the validity of citizen-initiative ballot questions but notes that even citizen-enacted laws can be unconstitutional. Related Headlines

“The object must always be to “ascertain the will of the people,” the court notes. “Nonetheless, when a statute – including on enacted by citizen initiative – conflicts with a constitutional provision, the Constitution prevails…”

At least one lawmaker said they would now work to put a constitutional amendment before voters, which would require a two-thirds support in the state legislature.

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