One of the potential benefits of ranked choice voting (Question 5) is the positive effect it will have on the tone of campaigns. If candidates know they need to rely on more than their core supporters to reach a majority, they won’t want to alienate voters with all that offensive negative campaigning. Needing to have wider appeal would reduce the negative attack ads we hate so much. Not wanting to turn off voters they may need for a majority is a powerful incentive to keep elections more civil and positive. It would also help get even better candidates to run since it will lessen the likelihood of getting slimed in a campaign. I am in favor of Question 5 for many reasons, but mostly because I believe it offers the best hope to bring better choice and more civility back to Maine elections.
Bob Bahm
Falmouth
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