FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Contact:  Kristen Schulze Muszynski
207-626-8400/ 207-441-7638

Secretary Dunlap posts notice of emergency rule-making for ranked-choice voting, opens public comment period

AUGUSTA – Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap has posted notice of the emergency rule-making for ranked-choice voting, as the state prepares to use the ranked-choice method of voting for the first time in the June 12, 2018 Primary Election.

This emergency rule sets forth the procedures for the administration of elections determined by ranked-choice voting, including the collection, security and handling of ballots and memory devices between the municipal offices and the central counting facility; aggregating and counting the cast vote records; administering the rounds of ranked-choice counting to achieve a majority result; and reporting the results.

The rule is titled “Chapter 535: Rules Governing the Administration of Elections Determined by Ranked-choice Voting.” The rule notice and full text can be viewed on the Upcoming Elections page of the Department of the Secretary of State.

The department is accepting public comment on the proposed rules through Friday, April 6, 2018. All comments must be sent to Deputy Secretary Julie Flynn, Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions, SHS #101, Augusta, ME, 04333 or via email at julie.flynn@maine.gov.