Bill would require majority to win governor’s race in Maine

[Maine-ah]

Source: BDN

AUGUSTA, Maine — After a pattern of Maine governors being elected with less than a majority vote, a Republican legislator on Wednesday proposed an amendment to the state Constitution that would require more than 50 percent of the vote for that office — in a runoff if necessary.

Sen. Tom Saviello of Wilton told the Legislature’s State and Local Government Committee that his proposal “has nothing to do with the present administration — nothing.”

“If you decide this is something you’re going to pursue, it will obviously have some kind of financial impact,” Saviello added. He did not know what the cost of additional rounds of elections would be.

In order to take effect, the bill would need a two-thirds majority of the Legislature and then approval of voters, not an easy set of challenges.

Read more: http://new.bangordailynews.com/2011/03/09/politics/bill-would-require-majority-to-win-governors-race-in-maine/

[Unvanguard]

1. This is a really good idea--especially given the "present administration" in Maine. n/t

[Old and In the Way]

2. Had it been in place this past election, we wouldn't be saddled with this clown LePage.

He won, only because the vote got split between the Mitchell and Cutler. Had this law been in place, either would have beaten him. So I'm surprised that a Republican is authoring this bill.

[glinda]

8. The voting systems have problems. We need paper ballots across the Country next time.

[Maine-ah]

9. the last time we had a majority

was with Angus...Baldacci (I don't think) ever had a majority for either term.

[Citizen Worker]

3. And this will foreclose any challenge by an alternative political party.

[TheWraith]

4. And when was the last time a third party won a governorship?

The Bull Moose Party, a hundred years ago?

[Citizen Worker]

5. It won't happen until enough people finally wake up to the fact that they've been had by the

democrats for the last 30 years and build a working class party. In the meantime the two parties that control ballot access will be busy making laws that will prevent a challenge to the status quo.

[AnOhioan]

7. +1

[24601]

6. 1998 - Jessie Ventura in Minnesota n/t

[Maine-ah]

10. Angus King was an indie.

Prior to that it was Longely.