To: Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs
From: Philip Mathieu, Sierra Club Maine
Date: March 16, 2021
Re: Testimony in Support of LD 202- RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Implement Ranked-choice Voting
Senator Luchini, Representative Caiazzo, and members of the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs, thank you for allowing me to present our testimony to you. I write to you today as a representative of Sierra Club Maine’s more than 20,000 members and supporters. Founded in 1892, Sierra Club is one of our nation’s oldest and largest environmental organizations. We work diligently to amplify the power of our 3.8 million members nation-wide as work to explore, enjoy, and protect the planet. Particularly in recent years, the scope of that mission has included supporting reforms that improve the fairness and efficacy of our democratic process. It is in that spirit that I urge you to vote “Ought to Pass” on LD 202.
Ranked-choice voting helps to ensure that elected officials accurately reflect the interests of the Mainers they represent. This system allows candidates representing local priorities to achieve a majority, regardless of the party they represent, without fear of losing due to “strategic” votes. In a state with a large number of independent voters and a strong history of bipartisanship, including around environmental issues important to our members, this system is a vital step towards ensuring Maine voters, not political strategists, determine the future of our state.
Maine voters have repeatedly endorsed ranked-choice voting in statewide referenda because it works. This bill codifies our belief in a better system which will further amplify the voices of Maine voters. I urge you to vote “Ought to Pass” on LD 202.
Respectfully, Philip Mathieu Legislative Team Volunteer