Committee recommends ‘ought not to pass’ for bill to expand ranked-choice voting; sponsor seeks court advisory review

The Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs voted to recommend "ought not to pass" on LD 1666, a bill that would add the offices of governor, state senator and state representative to Maine's ranked-choice voting system.

Senator Cameron Rennie, the bill sponsor, told the committee the bill reached the governor's desk last session and was recalled from the desk. He said he learned late that the governor intended a straight veto but would consider a request for a "solemn occasion" ' an advisory review by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ' to provide nonbinding guidance on constitutional questions. "I found out late that the governor intended to do a straight veto, but would be open to a solemn occasion," Rennie said.

Members debated process and principle. Opponents argued the state constitution's use of the term "plurality" raised a structural question that ought to be settled in litigation after a veto rather than by a nonbinding advisory opinion, and some said the timing'in an election year'risked undue implementation pressure. Representative David Boyer moved the committee recommendation of "ought not to pass," and Representative Ian Fredericks seconded the motion.

Supporters of the bill pointed to the policy merits and to the prior committee record. Representative Mark Mallon said he previously supported the bill and that a solemn occasion could be a prudent step: "I was supportive sending it to the governor and the governor signing it when we passed it last session, but that didn't happen," Mallon said.

The clerk called the roll. The record shows seven votes in favor of the "ought not to pass" recommendation, four opposed and two members absent; the motion prevailed. The committee recorded Representative David Boyer as the mover and Representative Ian Fredericks as the seconder. Members who voted against the motion indicated they would file a minority report reflecting the prior committee amendment (the "pink paper").

The chair closed the work session and said the committee would continue its calendar. The sponsor indicated intent to seek a joint order if the chambers re-passed the measure, which would pause final action pending the court's advisory opinion.