PORTLAND, Maine (AP) A federal appeals court has denied the latest effort by New England’s last remaining Republican congressman to declare unconstitutional Maine’s new election system, which was used for the first time in a congressional race.

A three-judge panel at the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston on Friday denied U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin’s request to hold up results of an election won by Democrat Jared Golden, whose swearing-in is Jan. 3.

Poliquin’s lawsuit faces steep odds; he wants courts to declare him the winner or order another election.

He’s appealing a federal judge’s rejection of constitutional arguments against a system that allows voters to rank candidates. The court Friday said Poliquin’s latest motion lacked a strong likelihood of success.

Poliquin didn’t immediately respond to request for comment. Golden’s office said he looks forward to taking office.