Maine Implements Ranked-Choice Voting for Senate and House Races

Maine will employ ranked-choice voting for its upcoming U.S. Senate and 2nd Congressional District races. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced the decision after six write-in candidates formally declared for the Senate race, which features incumbent Senator Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson. The write-in candidates include Brent Andrews, Sigrid Ann Olson, Gina Oswald, Joseph Steinberger, Michael Turcotte, and Ashley J. Webb.

Under the established rules, voters may rank up to three choices, which can include one write-in candidate. Ranked-choice tabulation will only be triggered if no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote on Election Day.

The 2nd Congressional District race between Paul LePage and Matt Dunlap will also use ranked-choice ballots due to the declaration of write-in candidate Gregory A. Ward. Although the governor's race also has declared write-in candidates, state law prohibits the use of ranked-choice voting for that specific office in the November general election.