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Mainers are fortunate to have ranked-choice voting in federal elections. We should use it. In this November’s election, 2nd Congressional District voters have two candidates running who I believe support the genocide of Palestinians. As a Jewish Mainer, I am appalled that the United States has already provided Israel with almost $23 billion for what I believe are war crimes.
I will be voting for write-in candidate Diana Merenda to represent Maine’s 2nd District in the U.S. House. Merenda is anti-war and supports peace. Then I can select Rep. Jared Golden as my number two candidate.
In the U.S. Senate race, I will vote for David Costello with Angus King as my second choice. Costello called for ceasefire in Gaza as early as May. He is experienced in politics, calls for reform in government, and supports development of a federal climate change plan.
Most importantly, I can vote for Dr. Jill Stein, an anti-war candidate for president. Kamala Harris is my second choice, and Dr. Cornel West, a brilliant philosopher for peace and justice, is my third choice. In all three races, the first candidate who receives more than 50 percent of the vote will win.
Maine and Alaska are the only states with statewide ranked-choice voting. Monied interests are trying to remove that right in Alaska.
We Mainers must use our ranked-choice process, a system that I believe produces the most fair results. In Maine, I can vote with my conscience and demonstrate to the establishment that genocide must end. I urge all Mainers to do so as well.
Eleanor Weisman
Knox
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