Maine Begins Ranked Choice Tabulation for Second District Race

Maine officials have started the legally required ranked choice tabulation for the Second District Congressional race because no candidate secured more than 50 percent of the vote. Paul LePage, the former Republican Governor, currently leads the count with 49.89 percent of the total and a margin of approximately 5,400 votes.

Democratic State Auditor Matt Dunlap has conceded the race. LePage has declared victory and is already attending new member orientation in Washington, D.C. Senior Advisor Lauren LePage stated the campaign feels confident the results will stand.

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows described the verification process as "meticulous," noting that officials are reviewing write-in and blank ballots to identify anomalies before the final tabulation. Bellows expects the official results by Friday, stating it is "statistically almost impossible" for Dunlap to overcome the current lead.

If the results are confirmed, this seat will be one of three U.S. House races to flip from Democratic to Republican control, and the only such flip not resulting from redistricting.