The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the “Academy”) has employed ranked choice voting to determine the winner of the Best Picture Oscar since 2009.

Gerrymandering. Partisan gridlock. No-choice elections. Lack of diverse representation. These challenges, compounded with the rise of apathy towards our democratic institutions, have led to the most socially and politically divided moment in our lifetimes.

Last month, former State Senator Shenna Bellows was sworn into office as the first woman to hold the position of Maine Secretary of State. It was also the first time Ranked Choice Voting was used in the selection process.