April 4, 2001

Neria R. Douglass, Chair

Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee

420 State House

Augusta, Maine 04338

Re: LD 1714

At it’s March 29 meeting, the Knox County area chapter of the Maine Green Independent Party voted to endorse, and urge passage of, LD 1714 ("…to enable Instant Runoff Voting…") We hope that you give this piece of legislation a full and fair hearing on April 2.

Instant Runnoff Voting simply gives the voter greater and more meaningful choice. It empowers the average Mainer, rather than limiting him or her to participation in a potentially"spoiling", "lesser of two evils" contest - the end of which he knows, or may strongly suspect, carries with it no mandate or claims to actual representation. It ensures that winner of the election has deep and broad-based support.

In short, IRV represents the ideal of deep electoral democracy in a time when, realistically, the voter will continue to see more and more choices at the polls.

We hope that Maine will follow the many governments and insitutions in adopting this.

Michael Ray, Co-Chair

Lynne Williams, Co-Chair