Tag: maine
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Graham Platner wins Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Maine, will face incumbent Susan Collins in November
Graham Platner (D) defeated David Costello (D) to win the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Maine on June 9. Platner will face incumbent Susan Collins (R) in the general election on Nov. 3. Ahead of the primary, the New York Times wrote, "To have any chance of retaking the Senate, Democrats must defeat Ms.…
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In five states, 2026 gubernatorial or state legislative races will determine who becomes the next top election official
Twenty-six states are holding elections for secretary of state in November. While these states hold direct elections for the office, nine out of the 12 states in which the governor or legislature appoints the secretary of state will hold respective gubernatorial or state legislative elections in 2026. In five of those states, the secretary of…
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No Democratic incumbents, two Republican incumbents are being challenged in primaries for state legislature in Maine
Two Maine state legislative incumbents face primary contests in 2026, the fewest at any point since 2018. This is a 67% decrease in the number of incumbents facing challengers compared to 2024. Both of the contested incumbents are Republican state representatives. Maine has 28 contested state legislative primaries in 2026, up 56% from 2024. Of…
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Maine updates campaign finance laws, passes one other election-related bill in 2026
The Maine Legislature adjourned its 2026 regular session on April 29 after enacting two election-related bills, both of which were signed by Gov. Janet Mills (D). One of those bills was LD 2000, which requires party committees to report all expenditures made to influence a campaign. It also changes various thresholds for when candidates must…
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Eight candidates are running for Maine’s two U.S. House districts — the most since 2014
This year’s filing deadline for candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maine was March 16, 2026. The number of candidates running for the U.S. House in Maine is the most since 2014. Eight candidates — five Democrats and three Republicans — are running for Maine’s two congressional districts. That’s four candidates per…
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Over the past two weeks, 10 new ballot measures were certified in six states — Alabama, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, and Oklahoma
As of April 14, 94 statewide measures have been certified for the ballot in 36 states, 10 more measures than the average number certified at this point in other even-numbered years over the past decade (2014 to 2024). Here’s an update on the latest ballot measure activity during the past two weeks: The last signature…
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A look at the June 9 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Maine
Three candidates are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Maine on June 9. As of April 2026, Janet T. Mills (D) and Graham Platner (D) lead in media attention, fundraising, polling, and endorsements. The winner of the primary will face incumbent Susan Collins (R) in the general election. According to the New…
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Maine Supreme Court says bill expanding ranked-choice voting is unconstitutional
On April 6, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled that a bill expanding ranked-choice voting (RCV) to general elections for governor and the state Legislature would violate the state’s constitution. Maine currently uses RCV in elections for Congress and president, as well as presidential primaries and primaries for governor and the state legislature. In 2016,…
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Maine ballot initiative requiring public school sports teams designated for girls or boys to be limited to students of the corresponding sex is certified to go before the legislature
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D) announced on March 17 that Protect Girls Sports in Maine had submitted a sufficient number of signatures to qualify its initiative for the ballot. The initiative would require that public school sports teams designated for girls or boys be limited to students of the corresponding sex, as recorded…
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Maine legislators weigh expanding state's ranked-choice voting system
On Feb. 10, Maine legislators approved a bill requiring the use of ranked-choice voting to elect the governor and members of the state legislature. Before advancing the legislation to Gov. Janet Mills (D), the legislature is waiting for advice from the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. In the ranked-choice voting system currently used in Maine, a…