Bill > LD911

This bill clarifies procedures for ranked-choice voting elections in Maine when candidates withdraw, die, or become disqualified less than 70 days before an election. The legislation ensures that even if candidates drop out or become ineligible close to an election, the ranked-choice voting process will still proceed. If a candidate dies, becomes disqualified, or withdraws late in the election cycle, their name remains on the ballot, but voters are notified that a vote for that candidate will not be counted. For ranked-choice voting specifically, the bill introduces the concept of an "excluded candidate" and establishes that ballots with an excluded candidate as the top-ranked choice will be automatically counted for the next-highest-ranked continuing candidate. The bill also modifies the winning criteria, stating that a candidate must be ranked number one on more than 50% of all ballots to be immediately declared the winner. If no candidate meets this threshold, the ranked-choice voting process continues through elimination rounds until a winner is determined. These changes aim to provide clear guidance for election officials and voters in situations where candidate availability changes close to an election date, while maintaining the integrity of the ranked-choice voting system.

Military Affairs and Security

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=911&snum=132