Dear Editor:

Sometimes I read the comments that follow an Op-Ed or letter to the editor. When it comes to Rank Choice Voting, also known as Instant Runoff Voting, I was a bit stunned when a writer thought the proposed improved voting method was too complex or too difficult for Maine voters - really?

First, if you have already voted in past elections you know how to mark the ballot. You also had the choice to choose a candidate or to leave the box blank. There is no requirement that you do anything different. If you don’t want to rank the candidates in order of your preference, then you vote for one just as you have done before. If, however, you want to be more assured that the winner is at least your 1st, 2nd, or 3rd choice, you might want to do that in the same way you have done it in school or online surveys – it’s called choosing, or in contests where it is called judging.

Maine usually has 2 to 3 candidates for one open seat. Minnesota has been known to have up to 35 running for Minneapolis’ mayor. Now that is a real challenge for ranking your choices! One of the biggest wins in this process is when there is a tie vote, where you are able to have an instant runoff without a delay or extra taxpayer expense. Democracy is enhanced as we have more say in the election outcome, and we elect with a 50 percent plus 1 vote margin.

If Minnesota can do it, Maine can do it!

Jarryl Larson

Edgecomb