Listen Live

News

Maine becomes first U.S. state to use ranked-choice format in Presidential contest

5 years ago in Local

Maine becomes first U.S. state to use ranked-choice format in Presidential contest

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


PORTLAND, Maine (AP) A historic election is taking place in Maine, where voters are using a ranked choice voting system to determine the state’s electoral votes for the first time in U.S. history.

Voters are able to rank Republican President Donald Trump, Democratic nominee Joe Biden, Libertarian nominee Jo Jorgensen, Green nominee Howie Hawkins and Alliance nominee Roque “Rocky” De La Fuente on Tuesday.

The ranked votes will come into play if no candidate cracks 50% of the statewide vote.

Maine is also one of two states that apportions electoral votes by congressional district.

The 1st Congressional District is heavily Democratic, but Trump won the 2nd Congressional District by a wide margin in 2016.

Tags:

Story © 2020 Associated Press - Images © 2020 560 WGAN Newsradio

Latest Headlines

7 hours ago in Local

Democratic senate candidate Graham Platner hires new manager to run campaign

Deputy Director of the Maine People’s Alliance Ben Chin has been hired to replace Platner's short-lived campaign director Kevin Brown.

1 day ago in Local

Parents Speak Out Against Trans Student on Basketball Team.

During a meeting of the St George Select board on Tuesday, the parents of a town on the mid-coast spoke out against a transgender student on the basketball team.

1 day ago in Local

Maine’s Amy Allen Earns Another Grammy Nomination for Songwriting

Maine’s Amy Allen is nominated for Songwriter of the Year at the Grammys—again! She won the award earlier this year and could take home another trophy in February.

1 day ago in Local

Sebago Woman Scammed by Contractor Gets Surprise Help from Local Businesses

After being scammed out of $5,000 for a driveway, a Sebago woman got an incredible surprise: local businesses stepped in to finish the job for free.

1 day ago in Local

Hundreds of Workers Temporarily Laid Off as Woodland Pulp Shuts Down

Hundreds of workers are facing temporary layoffs at Woodland Pulp in Baileyville. The mill has shut down until mid-December, citing market challenges. Maine officials are stepping in to help affected employees.