Ranked-choice voting supports candidates who may not be widely liked, such as Maine’s Secretary of State
The Democrat secretary of state who single-handedly removed former President Donald Trump from Maine’s GOP presidential primary ballot is a prime example of the flaws of ranked-choice voting (RCV) and the dangers it poses to our democracy.
Shenna Bellows, a former ACLU lawyer with a strong dislike for Trump, proudly shared a video where she explained how she used the preference list scheme to win the 2020 secretary of state election. In ranked-choice voting, also known as “rigged-choice voting” by critics, voters rank candidates by preference. If no candidate receives a majority of votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed to the voters’ second-choice candidates. This process continues until one candidate has a majority of votes, even if they received fewer “first-choice” votes than others.
In the video, Bellows reveals how she persuaded her colleagues in the Democrat-controlled legislature to consider her as their second choice when voting for the secretary of state position.
According to the Portland Press Herald, Bellows advanced through four rounds of ballot tabulation using ranked-choice voting to secure the nomination.
Bellows proudly states, “I’m definitely sure I had more No. 2 votes than anybody else. And, you know, end of the story, I became Maine’s first female secretary of state.”
However, this was just the beginning of the story.
‘Mind-Boggling and Comical’
Bellows, a political opportunist, made headlines recently when she unilaterally decided that former President Trump should be disqualified from the ballot, citing his alleged involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Despite no conviction for any crime, Bellows took it upon herself to exclude Trump from the electoral process.
Trump has appealed Bellows’ decision, arguing that she exceeded her authority under Maine law and made multiple errors of law.
Legal experts have criticized Bellows’ decision, with one calling it “mind-boggling and comical.”
Ranked-choice voting has become a contentious issue, with Democrats using its complexities to their advantage and diminishing voter confidence in elections. The system has allowed less popular Democrats to defeat more popular Republicans in races in Maine and Alaska.
Despite the controversy surrounding ranked-choice voting, Bellows remains a staunch advocate for the system, applauding the defeat of a bill that would have repealed it in Maine.
As the debate over ranked-choice voting continues, it is clear that this voting scheme poses significant threats to our democracy and undermines the principles of due process and equal protection.
A ‘Trojan Horse’
Shenna Bellows is a leading proponent of ranked-choice voting, a system that has been criticized for its complexity and potential for disenfranchisement. The scheme has been used to elect preferred candidates of left-leaning organizations, and its proponents argue that it allows for more moderate candidates to be elected.
However, critics argue that ranked-choice voting is a scam that can rig elections and disenfranchise voters. In the New York mayoral primary, nearly 140,000 ballots were discarded, resulting in a significant disenfranchisement of voters.
While some states have banned ranked-choice voting, others are considering implementing it. The debate over this voting scheme is far from over, and its impact on our democracy remains a contentious issue.
Shenna Bellows may champion ranked-choice voting, but her actions demonstrate a disregard for voters’ choices and a willingness to exclude candidates she disagrees with from the electoral process.
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How does the use of ranked-choice voting in Maine’s election raise concerns about potential abuse and manipulation of the voting system for political gain
The use of ranked-choice voting (RCV) in Maine’s recent secretary of state election has raised concerns about the flaws and dangers associated with this voting system. Shenna Bellows, the Democrat secretary of state, proudly shared a video explaining how she utilized the preference list scheme to win the 2020 election.
In ranked-choice voting, voters rank candidates by preference. If no candidate receives a majority of votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed to the voters’ second-choice candidates. This process continues until one candidate has a majority of votes, even if they received fewer “first-choice” votes than others.
Bellows revealed in the video how she convinced her colleagues in the Democrat-controlled legislature to consider her as their second choice when voting for the secretary of state position. She advanced through four rounds of ballot tabulation using ranked-choice voting to secure the nomination.
However, Bellows’ actions did not stop there. She unilaterally decided that former President Donald Trump should be disqualified from the ballot in Maine, citing his alleged involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Despite Trump not being convicted of any crime, Bellows excluded him from the electoral process.
Trump has appealed Bellows’ decision, arguing that she exceeded her authority under Maine law and made multiple errors of law. Legal experts have criticized Bellows’ decision, with one describing it as ”mind-boggling and comical.”
This incident in Maine highlights the potential dangers and flaws of ranked-choice voting. Critics argue that it allows for political opportunism and manipulation of the voting process. Instead of focusing solely on the preference and support of voters, the system allows for strategic rankings and back-room negotiations.
Some argue that ranked-choice voting undermines the principle of majority rule. The candidate who ends up with a majority of votes may have not received the most “first-choice” votes and may not truly reflect the will of the majority of voters.
Additionally, ranked-choice voting can be confusing and complicated for voters to understand. The process of elimination and redistribution of votes can be difficult to follow and may discourage voter participation.
While proponents of ranked-choice voting argue that it promotes more civil and inclusive campaigns, the Maine incident raises concerns about the potential abuse and manipulation of the system for political gain.
As the United States continues to evaluate and experiment with different voting systems, it is essential to carefully consider the pros and cons of ranked-choice voting. The integrity and fairness of the electoral process should always be a top priority to ensure a truly democratic system that reflects the will of the people.
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