Maine May Switch to Presidential Primaries

Maine Senate President Kevin Raye has put forward a proposal that would draft recommendations for restoring a presidential primary voting system in the state. Down East Magazine documented the chaos at the caucuses [1] in our May issue. That combined with Ron Paul winning 21 of 24 Maine delegates [2], despite losing the popular vote, at this past weekend's Republican convention has spurred an interest in changing the system.

Raye's bill would start a process that would lead to a legislative committee drafting a proposal to be considered next year. The new format would be more like traditional general elections with secret ballots rather than a daylong public vote that can drive away more casual voters.