Maine Voters Turn Out for Contentious Primaries as Ranked-Choice Results Awaited

Polls closed across Maine on Tuesday night after a primary election day that drew brisk turnout to communities large and small, fueled by competitive gubernatorial primaries, a closely watched U.S. Senate race, and a crowded field of local contests and school budget referendums.

But for many of the most-watched races, the final verdict may not arrive for days — or even weeks.

Governor's Races Headline the Ballot

The marquee contests were the Democratic and Republican primaries for governor, where voters were choosing nominees to succeed term-limited Gov. Janet Mills. Five Democrats and seven Republicans were competing in races employing Maine's ranked-choice voting system, meaning no candidate could win outright without surpassing 50% of the vote. The process of eliminating last-place finishers and redistributing their ballots could stretch results well into the week ahead, with some outcomes potentially taking up to two weeks to finalize.

On the Democratic side, former Maine CDC director Nirav Shah entered the day as an early favorite, drawing on his high profile during the COVID-19 pandemic. But Troy Jackson, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, and Hannah Pingree had forged an unusual alliance, urging supporters to rank one another while leaving Shah and Angus King III off their ballots in a coordinated effort to consolidate the progressive vote.

"He makes perfect sense," said Portland voter Anita Fournier, who ranked Shah first. "He did what he needed to do to support us, and I think he can do that again."

The Republican primary featured its own brand of late-campaign drama. Bobby Charles had surfaced as the early front-runner, but healthcare executive Jonathan Bush — cousin of former President George W. Bush — mounted a late surge with a pitch as "a new kind of Bush." Several candidates formed cross-ranking alliances aimed at slowing Charles' momentum, and the two leading Republicans traded barbs in television ads through the campaign's final days. In Lewiston, voter Frances Wataru said the ads influenced her choice. "I like the way he spoke," she said.

Senate Primary Tests Democratic Dynamics

The Democratic U.S. Senate primary drew national attention as an early measure of the party's direction, even though Graham Platner was widely expected to prevail over the remaining field.

Platner, a progressive candidate who generated early enthusiasm from the party's left flank, faced a series of controversies in the months leading up to the primary — including old Reddit comments, a tattoo on his chest resembling a symbol associated with Nazi paramilitary units, and allegations from a former girlfriend that he had physically intimidated her. Platner has dismissed the Reddit posts as "stupid joke comments" made while dealing with PTSD, said he was unaware of the tattoo's symbolism before covering it up, and called the allegations "politically motivated."

Former Gov. Janet Mills, who had suspended her campaign in April, remained on the ballot alongside David Costello and write-in candidate Andrea LaFlamme. Her continued presence offered an outlet for Democrats uneasy with Platner.

Mary Shea, 65, of Falmouth, said she ranked Mills first as a deliberate protest. "She's not the right person for the moment, but I don't feel good about Platner," Shea said, though she added that she would back Platner in November if he wins the nomination. "Collins has to go."

Others were more open to the candidate. Nicole Mann, a 28-year-old Jewish voter from Waterville, said she had pulled a Platner sign from her lawn after learning about the tattoo, only to put it back after he covered it and explained the situation. "I like to see people changing," she said.

Portland voter Daniel Coffrin summed up a broader ambivalence. "He's a real unknown quantity," Coffrin said. "I'm enthusiastic but it's one of those things where you're like, 'C'mon man.'"

Whoever wins the Democratic nomination will face incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November in a race both parties view as critical to control of the U.S. Senate.

2nd District Race Draws Four Democrats

Democrats were also choosing a nominee in Maine's 2nd Congressional District, where four candidates — state Sen. Joe Baldacci, state Auditor Matt Dunlap, social worker Paige Loud, and former congressional aide Jordan Wood — were competing for the right to challenge former Republican Gov. Paul LePage. The seat is open following U.S. Rep. Jared Golden's decision not to seek re-election.

School Budgets Stir Local Passions

While the top-of-the-ticket races dominated media coverage, debates over local school budgets proved among the most emotionally charged contests in communities statewide. Most Maine districts have seen budget increases of 5% to 10% over the past year, driven largely by personnel costs and inflation, and an increasing number of proposals have been rejected or barely passed at the polls.

In Brunswick, Kerry and Lenore Kells voted against the district's $61.2 million proposal, citing rising property taxes. "The town has overspent on the police department, the fire station," Kerry Kells said. "Our taxes are $8,000."

Others, like Lewiston voter Gerry Raymond, acknowledged the costs while still supporting the budget. "We need our schools," Raymond said.

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who is also on the gubernatorial primary ballot, said local races appeared to be driving some of the highest turnout numbers. "We've seen the highest turnout in places around the state where there are local contested races," she said.

Local Races and Absentee Turnout

More than 40 local races for select boards, town councils, school boards, and other municipal positions were also on the ballot, with some contests deciding only which candidates advance to November. The state's semi-open primary system, which allows unenrolled voters to choose a party ballot but bars members of third parties from participating, caused confusion in some polling places.

In Gardiner, City Clerk Kathleen Cutler described one Green Party voter who grew irate upon learning he could not cast a ballot in the Democratic primary, shouting that "AI told me I could vote." "There was a lot of confusion, it's unfortunate," Cutler said. "It feels like both parties feel this is a critical election."

For some voters, the volume of down-ballot decisions came as a surprise. Christine Liebert, 58, of Skowhegan, said she found herself researching local candidates only after arriving at the polls. "I don't know why I didn't do that before I voted," she said.

Of the more than 92,000 absentee ballots requested before Election Day, roughly 71,000 — about 76% — were returned and accepted, according to Jana Spaulding, a spokesperson for the secretary of state's office.

Maine has historically ranked among the top states for voter participation, posting the nation's highest turnout in the 2022 midterm at 61.8%. While primary elections typically draw smaller numbers, election officials reported steady traffic at polling places from Falmouth to Portland to Kennebunk, where volunteers were seen unfolding absentee ballots for counting late into the evening.

With ranked-choice tabulations underway, the identities of the Democratic and Republican gubernatorial nominees — and the strength of the mandates behind them — may not be clear for some time.