| David Daley | The Boston Globe |
A decade ago, ranked-choice voting was among the most fiercely debated reforms in Maine politics. Voters adopted it after watching Paul LePage win two gubernatorial elections without winning a majority. In a state that has long valued independent candidates, many voters wanted elections to identify more than plurality winners. They wanted to be led by someone capable of building a majority coalition.
”Finding common ground
This year’s Democratic primary demonstrated those values in action. Five serious candidates for governor competed, along with four in the congressional race. Voters had genuine choices. No one was cast as a spoiler. Candidates could make their case, without pressure from insiders demanding that the field be artificially winnowed.
Democracy is not just about measuring intensity. It is also about finding common ground. Election rules can’t solve every problem. They do, however, influence how candidates campaign and how voters participate.