Maine Voters To Decide On Whether They'll Rank Candidates In Future Elections

In just a few days, Maine primary voters will participate in a ranked-choice voting experiment so unprecedented that the state's top election official sometimes compares what's about to happen to a dangerous and high-stakes mission in space.

"This is a little bit like Luke Skywalker blowing up the Death Star," Secretary of State Matt Dunlap said of the upcoming June 12 primary. "You get one pass."

In asking voters to rank candidates in order of preference, Maine becomes the first U.S. state to adopt a system also used in Australia, Ireland, several other countries, as well as a smattering of U.S. cities.

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