Shawn Griffiths
FairVote released the results of a new SurveyUSA poll Wednesday that found that Maine Republicans in the state’s second congressional district plan to reap the benefits of ranked choice voting in the party’s primary, despite opposition.
“Maine Republicans in the state's second congressional district favor former state legislator Dale Crafts over former gubernatorial spokesperson Adrienne Bennett in a tight ranked choice voting contest, with the GOP’s 2018 U.S. Senate nominee Eric Brakey trailing both as a first choice and second choice candidate,” FairVote reports. “Adrienne Bennett still has a path to victory if she secures 75% of Eric Brakey voters' second choices.”
The survey found that 68% of surveyed Republicans believe ranking candidates is either “easy” or “very easy.” Further, nearly half (48%) believe it is important for a party nominee to earn a majority in the primary, which ranked choice voting would ensure.
FairVote, the nation’s preeminent advocate for ranked choice voting, released an analysis of the survey’s results on its website.
“We have seen at least fifty House or Gubernatorial primary races this year where a candidate won with less than 50% support,” added Rob Richie, CEO and President of FairVote. “We’re encouraged by the strides Mainers have made to ensure election outcomes more closely mirror the candidates voters support.”
Interesting to note is the survey also polled respondents on possible 2024 GOP presidential candidates. Mike Pence is currently favored in first choices and ranked choice voting. He wins in a landslide in a field that included Ted Cruz,Nikki Haley, Marco Rubio, Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr.