Maine Seeks Court Guidance on Ranked-Choice Voting Expansion

State lawmakers request advisory opinion on constitutionality of using ranked-choice voting for governor and legislative races.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Maine lawmakers have passed a resolution asking the state's top court to weigh in on whether major voting changes that could include expanding ranked-choice voting to gubernatorial and legislative elections are constitutional. The request comes after lawmakers last year approved a bill to extend ranked-choice voting to those state-level races, but the bill was recalled from the governor's desk when it was learned she planned to veto it. Proponents are asking the court to revisit its 2017 ruling that ranked-choice voting could not be used in state-level races, citing a more recent ruling in Alaska that criticized Maine's decision.

Why it matters

The effort to include elections for Maine's governor and state lawmakers under ranked-choice voting faces constitutional questions that need to be resolved before the 2026 election season. Expanding ranked-choice voting could significantly change how Mainers vote in dozens of races, but there are concerns about the legality of the move.

The details

Lawmakers are asking the Maine Law Court for an advisory opinion on whether ranked-choice voting can be used this fall to elect a governor and a new Legislature. The request comes after the Legislature last year approved a bill to extend ranked-choice voting to those state-level races, but the bill was recalled when it was learned the governor planned to veto it. Proponents argue a recent Alaska court ruling that criticized Maine's 2017 decision against using ranked-choice voting in plurality elections should prompt the state to revisit the issue.

  • The Maine Legislature passed a resolution requesting the advisory opinion in early 2026.
  • The 2017 Maine Law Court ruling found ranked-choice voting could not be used in state-level races.
  • The Alaska court ruling that criticized Maine's 2017 decision was issued more recently.

The players

Sen. Cameron Reny

A Democratic state senator from Bristol who sponsored the bill to expand ranked-choice voting in Maine.

Gov. Janet Mills

The Democratic governor of Maine who was planning to veto the bill to expand ranked-choice voting before it was recalled.

Maine Law Court

The state's top court that is being asked to weigh in on the constitutionality of expanding ranked-choice voting.

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What they’re saying

“If we are to expand ranked-choice voting to gubernatorial and legislative elections — as Maine voters and majorities of both bodies of the Legislature have endorsed — we should resolve any lingering constitutional uncertainty.”

— Sen. Cameron Reny, State Senator (pressherald.com)

What’s next

The Maine Law Court will need to issue an advisory opinion on the constitutionality of expanding ranked-choice voting to gubernatorial and legislative elections before the 2026 election season.

The takeaway

Maine's efforts to expand ranked-choice voting face legal questions that must be resolved before the 2026 elections, as the state's top court is asked to revisit its previous ruling against using the system in state-level plurality elections.