Rep. Poliquin drops challenge to ranked-choice voting, clearing way for Jared Golden to take seat
Source: Portland Press Herald
U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin is dropping his legal challenge to the ranked-choice election process that resulted in the loss of his 2nd District U.S. House seat.
Poliquin issued a statement on Twitter on Christmas Eve, saying that he continues to believe ranked-choice voting is unconstitutional, but “it’s in the best interests of my constituents and all Maine citizens to close this confusing and unfair chapter of voting history.”
A federal judge in Bangor this month rejected Poliquin’s challenge to the voting system, which was adopted by referendum two years ago and requires a winner to receive a majority of the votes. If there is no majority winner, the system calls for the votes for candidates who finish third or lower to be discarded, with remaining candidates receiving those voters’ second choices. The process continues until one candidate receives a majority.
The election method was first adopted by Maine voters in a referendum in 2016 and then affirmed in another vote in June. In 2017, the state Supreme Court ruled the system invalid for state elections – because the Maine Constitution specifies that election winners to state offices have to get a plurality, rather than majority, of the vote – but the system was permitted to be used in federal elections.
Link to tweet
-snip-
Posted 3:01 PM Updated 20 mins ago
BY EDWARD D. MURPHY STAFF WRITER
Read more: https://www.pressherald.com/2018/12/24/poliquin-drops-legal-challenge-to-ranked-choice-voting/
= new reply since forum marked as read
Marina Villeneuve, Associated Press
Updated 3:59 pm CST, Monday, December 24, 2018
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — New England's last remaining Republican congressman ended his legal battle Monday challenging the election of his Democratic opponent under Maine's new voting system.
U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin said in a statement posted on Facebook that he still considers the ranked-choice system confusing. He said he wishes the best for Democrat Rep.-elect Jared Golden, whose swearing-in is set for Jan. 3.
A federal judge in Maine and the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston both dealt blows to Poliquin's efforts to have the courts rule the system unconstitutional and either declare him the winner or order another election.
. . .
"As such, despite winning the largest number of votes on Election Day, I believe it's in the best interest of my constituents and all Maine citizens to close this confusing and unfair chapter of voting history by ending any further legal proceedings," Poliquin said.
More:
https://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Maine-congressman-ends-legal-challenge-to-13489204.php
Rep. Bruce Poliquin, giving them hell, in happier days.
Vaya con Dios, Rep. Poliquin.
