Sen. Chipman continues his leadership on ranked-choice voting in Maine

Posted: August 26, 2019 | Senator Chipman

Sen. Chipman: “I have fought alongside my fellow Mainers to fully implement RCV in Maine for years, and with Monday’s vote, we continue our work toward that goal.”

Sen. Chipman speaking at an NCSL conference about ranked choice voting.

AUGUSTA — During Monday’s special legislative session, Sen. Chipman, D-Portland, supported the enactment of LD 1083, “An Act To Implement Ranked-choice Voting for Presidential Primary and General Elections in Maine.” Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, sponsored the bill to require ranked-choice voting be used in Maine’s presidential primaries starting next year. The Senate took up and passed LD 1083 by a vote of 20-12. The timing of the enactment vote was critical in order for ranked-choice voting to be used in the 2020 presidential primaries, and Sen. Chipman once again demonstrated his leadership on this issue in advocating for timely action.

“Maine people have voted twice now to tell us that they want ranked-choice voting to be used in our elections. I see this vote as continuing to respect the will of the voters who elected us,” said Sen. Chipman.

Sen. Chipman has been a long-time advocate for ranked-choice voting in Maine. He led the effort to bring it to Portland for the city’s mayoral election in 2011. He played a significant role in putting the issue on the statewide ballot in 2016 when it was approved by Maine voters. Chipman was also involved in two lawsuits to require the state to implement ranked choice voting and he has supported it throughout his tenure in the Legislature. Sen. Chipman also was recognized by the Committee for Ranked Choice Voting for his dedicated commitment to advocating for ranked-choice voting and instituting the will of Maine voters.

“We want to thank Sen. Chipman for his continued support and for helping to make sure Maine’s government follows the will of the people,” said David Farmer of the Committee for Ranked Choice Voting.

The bill will now go to the desk of Gov. Janet Mills, who can sign it into law, veto the bill, or hold it.

Sen. Chipman recently spoke at a forum on ranked-choice voting at the National Conference of State Legislatures annual summit in Nashville, TN where he urged lawmakers from across the country to adopt RCV in their state.