Former president Donald Trump has won the United States presidency.
More than three-quarters of votes in Maine had been tallied as of noon Wednesday. A huge turnout and high absentee ballot participation made for a long night for election clerks, and results were still trickling in as the day continued.
The Associated Press had yet to declare a winner of the presidential race in Maine, although Vice President Kamala Harris increased her lead over Trump to 8 percentage points statewide.
The race in the 2nd Congressional District was still too close to call, but U.S. Rep. Jared Golden was holding a slight lead over Republican challenger Austin Theriault. The result could determine the balance of power in the U.S. House, especially after Republicans took control of the Senate by flipping multiple seats in Tuesday’s election.
A push to bring back Maine’s original state flag ultimately failed, but four other state ballot questions, including three bonds, seemed prime to pass.
We’ll continue to gather and share results Wednesday.
• Follow live Maine city and town votes for the 2024 election
• Additional results and electoral maps from across the country
3:10 p.m. —Sagadahoc voters elect state House, Senate seats
Sen. Denise Tepler, D-Topsham, has been elected to represent Sagadahoc County in the Maine Senate, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s election, with about 85% of the district reporting results as of Wednesday afternoon.
Tepler drew 11,687 votes, finishing ahead of Jeffrey Pierce (R) and Suzanne Andreson (unenrolled) who had 8,330 and 1,329 votes, respectively.
Senate District 24 includes Bath, Topsham, Richmond, West Bath, Woolwich, Phippsburg, Georgetown, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Arrowsic and Dresden.
Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, won reelection to represent House District 49 for a fourth term, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s election.
Hepler won her race against Republican challenger Vincent Brown, garnering more than 60% of the vote.
Hepler has served in House District 49 since 2022 and in House District 53 from 2018 to 2022. The district includes Arrowsic, Georgetown, Phippsburg, West Bath and Woolwich.
– Paul Bagnall, Times Record
2:30 p.m. — Fairfield walks back early results after mistakenly excluding absentee votes
FAIRFIELD — Fairfield went back on its unofficial election results today after determining that absentee municipal votes were accidentally excluded from last night’s tally.
The thumb drive that contained absentee ballots for the municipal election was not placed in the tabulator, Brittanee Guerette, town clerk, said in an email just before Wednesday afternoon. It is not yet known how many votes were left out of the count.
With three town council seats on the ballot, missing absentee votes could mean a different outcome for those races. According to last night’s unofficial results, Matthew Tulley bagged the two-year term seat, while Matthew Townsend and Timothy Martin picked up the three-year term seats.
For two of those seats, a couple hundred votes is all that separates the winner from the runner-up.
The absentee ballots will be tallied and added at a 3:30 p.m. public meeting today at Fairfield Community Center.
– Hannah Kaufman, Morning Sentinel
2:10 p.m. — Gov. Mills ‘disappointed’ about Trump victory
Gov. Janet Mills expressed disappointment Wednesday about the election of former President Donald Trump, but pledged to work with him whenever it is in the best interest of Maine people.
Mills campaigned around the state for Vice President Kamala Harris. And Trump called Mills a “weak and ineffective” governor in a call with Maine supporters last month, although he repeatedly referred to Mills as “he” during the conference call.
“While I am disappointed in the result, my approach to every president, regardless of who it is, is the same,” she said. “If a president does something good for Maine people, I will join and support them. If they do something that is bad for Maine people, I will oppose them with everything I have. This will once again be my approach to the President-elect.
“I pledge to Maine people that I will do everything in my power for as long as I am your Governor to protect the future and the freedoms of Maine families – and I promise to continue to do everything I can to build a state and a country where every person can have a good education, have access to good healthcare, have clean air and water, have a good paying and fulfilling job, be successful and create a better life for themselves and for their children.”
– Daniel Kool, Portland Press Herald
2 p.m. — League of Women Voters reports harassment, intimidation at several Maine polling places
In a report issued a half-hour after polls closed Tuesday, the League of Women Voters of Maine issued a post-election report noting three instances of “very clear verbal” harassment of nonwhite voters in two separate voting locations.
In South Portland, where voters gathered at the Community Center, a nonwhite voter was harassed in the parking lot, according to the report, where multiple people asked her who she was going to vote for in an intimidating way. In addition to the league’s volunteer observers, the city clerk and an election warden were notified of the intimidation and intervened.
In one of two instances in Trenton, a number of people were talking aloud to a nonwhite voter waiting in line, and that voter became “visibly upset and was shaking” after the encounter. The league’s election observers were not able to confirm exactly what had been said to that voter.
In both Trenton and South Portland, election wardens and clerks ensured that the nonwhite voters who were harassed or intimidated still cast their ballots.
– Judith Meyer, Sun Journal
SCARBOROUGH, ME- NOVEMBER 5: Wearing a patriotic hat, Larry Gray reads over a ballot while voting at Scarborough High School on Tuesday. (Staff photo by Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer) Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer
1:55 p.m. — Control of Maine Legislature hangs in balance as vote count continues
Dozens of races in the Maine Senate and House of Representatives remained too close to call on Wednesday afternoon, although Democrats said their numbers show they will maintain a majority in the Senate.
Republicans and Democrats both appeared to be poised to flip seats in each chamber, but it’s too early to say whether Republicans will pick up enough seats to wrest control of one or both chambers from Democrats.
Republicans picked up at least four seats in the House and one in the Senate.
The Associated Press declared Republican Sue Bernard, of Caribou, the winner of the District 1 senate state, which is currently held by Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash.
Republicans also picked up House seats in Bucksport, Old Town, Auburn and Raymond.
Senate Democrats declared victory, saying they maintained control of the upper chamber with at least 19 seats, while defending every incumbent who sought reelection.
– Randy Billings, Portland Press Herald
1:20 p.m. — Westbrook mayor decided after ranked choice runoff
David Morse won the race for mayor Wednesday after ranked-choice tabulations.
Lynda Adams finished second ahead of Larry McWilliams in the three-way race. They were vying for a one-year term to fill a vacancy.
Morse led the field with 48.9% of the of the 9,490 votes cast but fell short of the 50% required to avoid a ranked-choice runoff.
In contested City Council races, incumbent Anna Turcotte defeated challenger Anthony Dahms and Amy Faulkingham narrowly edged incumbent Gary Rairdon. Incumbent Michael Shaughnessy’s seat was uncontested.
Brittney Barr was elected to the school board, as were uncontested candidates Katy Rice, Erin Cavallaro, and Brooke Reed.
In Maine House races, incumbent Democrat Drew Gattine was unchallenged in District 126. In House District 127, incumbent Democrat Morgan Rielly prevailed over Republican Ryan Poitras and in House District 128, incumbent Democrat Suzanne Salisbury defeated Republican Charles Ellis.
– Robert Lowell, American Journal
Maine voters defeated an initiative to adopt the “Lone Pine” flag, top, inspired by the state’s original flag from 1901, and instead voted to stick with the current design, which features the state seal.
1 p.m. — Maine flag referendum fails, PAC limits pass
Maine will not get a new state flag.
About 55% of voters, or around 356,000, rejected a proposed redesign of the official flag with 80% of the votes counted at 1 p.m. The referendum would have replaced the current design featuring the official state seal with one based on an original 1901 design featuring a pine tree and a blue north star, commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag.
A proposal to limit political donations to political action committees, or PACs, was approved 74% to 26% . The measure limits $5,000 to PACs that make independent expenditures to elect or defeat candidates for public office.
Voters also appeared to support three other ballot proposals that, if ultimately passed when all the votes are counted, will authorize the state to borrow $65 million to promote research and development and commercialization of Maine’s tech industry, restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, and develop and maintain trails.
– Stephen Singer, Portland Press Herald
12 p.m. — Maine’s 2nd Congressional District still too tight to call
Austin Theriault’s campaign manager Shawn Roderick posted an update Wednesday morning on X, formerly Twitter, to say the race is still “too close to call,” but added the campaign’s “internal tracking of the election results has us up slightly.”
The 11:28 a.m. post goes on to say the campaign is “committed to making sure every legal vote is counted, we will see where this ultimately lands. We deeply appreciate the support so many have shown to our campaign and ask for patience as the democratic process plays out.”
With 76% of the vote tallied as of 12 p.m., incumbent U.S. Rep. Jared Golden was leading challenger Austin Theriault 50.7% to 48.9%. Golden had a lead of 5,483 votes, according to estimates from the Associated Press.
– Ben McCanna, Portland Press Herald
11:55 a.m. — Oakland elects two to Town Council, one to school board
Dana Wrigley Sr. was reelected Tuesday to the Oakland Town Council, with resident Kelly Roderick winning the other seat in a three-way race.
Incumbent Laura Tracy was reelected to the Oakland-based Regional School Unit 18 board of directors in a three-way race in which she was challenged by two newcomers. Tracy has served on the school board for nearly 24 years, the last 10 as chair.
Wrigley, 83, a retired Central Maine Power Co. employee who has served 18 years on the council, was reelected to the council with 1,680 votes, and Roderick garnered 1,734 votes. They defeated political newcomer Shawn Michael Nava, 58, who got 1,284 votes.
In the race for RSU 18 school board, Tracy received 1,437 votes, defeating challengers Mary Denise Ferguson, who got 666 votes, and Lori Shieve, who got 1,086.
– Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel
11:45 a.m. — Sagahadoc County sheriff reelected to 5th term
Candidates for Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry, left, and Aaron Skolfield, right. Staff photos
Democrat Joel Merry is projected to serve a fifth term as Sagadahoc County Sheriff.
While the Associated Press hasn’t yet called the race, the most recent results show Merry ahead of Sgt. Aaron Skolfield with 59% of the vote. And individual precincts not yet included in the AP count are reporting Merry winning the majority of votes.
Skolfield conceded the race in a call Wednesday morning.
Last year’s mass shooting in Lewiston has loomed over the race. Both candidates have been called out for their failure to stop the gunman after the department was warned twice about the Bowdoin man’s threats and worsening mental health. Skolfield said these criticisms contributed to his loss.
– Morgan Womack, Press Herald
11:30 a.m. — Clinton residents vote to borrow $1.9 million to help fund new fire station
Clinton voters approved the borrowing of $1.9 million to help fund a new fire station in one of their six referendum votes Tuesday.
It was a close vote, with 809 votes in favor and 657 against.
The new fire station will be built on a lot at 27 Baker St., next to the Town Office.
Town Manager Daniel Swain said that the current station on Church Street doesn’t have enough room for vehicles or equipment. The bays house two ambulances, pickup trucks and three fire trucks, most of which are double-parked to fit. With new EMS vehicle regulations, that space has become even tighter.
The $1.9 million adds on to about $2 million the town was awarded two years ago for a new fire station as part of congressional spending.
– Hannah Kaufman, Morning Sentinel
11 a.m. — Brunswick, Freeport elect new members to council, school board
Brunswick residents weighed 10 candidates for seven openings on the municipal ballot this year.
While three won uncontested reelection campaigns, the remaining competitors faced tough races for positions on Town Council and the school board.
Voters elected James Ecker, Kimberly Anderson and Kathy Wilson to the council and reelected Sande Updegraph.
Abigail Isaacson Abbot was elected to the school board and Erica Carley Harris and Celina Harrison won their reelection bids.
In Freeport, residents weighed 13 different candidates vying for seven openings on the municipal ballot.
William Stephen Brown and Henry Lawrence were elected to the council, while uncontested incumbents Colin Cheney and Kara Kaikini will remain on the RSU 5 Board of Directors. Marissa Elliott, Mike Ashby and Molly Lincoln were elected to represent the Sewer District.
– Kristian Moravec, Times Record
10:30 a.m. — Voters pass Gorham schools upgrades; reject tennis courts question
Gorham voters Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a referendum to make improvements at two, aging schools while rejecting a separate referendum to borrow $2.5 million to relocate tennis courts.
Voters approved the facilities referendum by 6,530 to 4,657. It gives the School Department the authority to borrow $9.5 million to expand the high school cafeteria and add six modular classrooms, among other improvements at the aging school.
The total cost of the project, including interest, is $12.7 million.
Voters resoundingly defeated a referendum 6,539 to 4,327 that would have moved deteriorating tennis courts from the high school campus to the middle school.
The fate of existing tennis courts, available for public use, is unclear.
– Robert Lowell, American Journal
10:25 a.m. — Scarborough approves $6 million land bond, elects councilors
Scarborough voters passed by a vote of 8,902 to 5,321 a $6 million bond to replenish the town’s land acquisition fund, which is used to contribute to purchasing land for conservation, preserving wildlife habitats or recreation.
Scott Doherty and Cory Fellows won a three-way race for two seats on the Scarborough Town Council. Meanwhile, Bill Donovan ran unopposed and was elected to a two-year term on the Town Council to replace outgoing Councilor Jean-Marie Caterina.
Mitchell Rockenstire ran unopposed and will take the open school board seat with a term expiring in June 2026.
Voters also approved that $1 million be spent on body-worn and cruiser cameras for the police department. A fire truck will also be replaced for $1 million.
The funds aren’t immediately expended, so the impact on taxpayers is unclear.
– Drew Johnson, Leader / Sentry
Voters fill in their ballots at Merrill Auditorium Tuesday. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer
10:20 a.m. — Portland City Council races decided after ranked choice runoff
Portland has three new City Councilors after the results of a ranked choice runoff were announced Wednesday morning.
Ben Grant, a current school board member, won an at-large seat on the council with 13,669 votes, trailed by Jess Falero with 11,638. Falero and Grant were tied with 26% of the vote before the runoff, followed by Brandon Mazer with 24%.
“It feels really gratifying,” Grant said Wednesday morning. “I’m really thankful for the support I had from my team and from so many voters around Portland who supported my message of change and progress in the city.”
In District 2, Wes Pelletier won the seat with 2,971 votes. Second place finisher Nancy English received 2,620 votes. Before the runoff results were calculated, Pelletier was leading with 34% of the vote followed by English with 24% and Atiim Boykin with 21%.
“It was a long race that was very stressful. I’m happy to be on the other side of it,” Pelletier said after the results were announced. “I’m glad we have ranked choice.”
— Grace Benninghoff, Portland Press Herald
10:15 a.m. — Newcomer defeats incumbent in Waterville City Council Ward 7 seat
Political newcomer Catherine Tamara Herard defeated incumbent Thomas A. McCormick Sr. in Tuesday’s race for Waterville’s Ward 7 City Council seat, by a 408 to 353 vote.
McCormick, who is unenrolled, was elected to the seat in 2021. Herard, a Democrat, ran for elected office for the first time, defeating him by 55 votes. City councilors are paid $1,500 a year.
Herard, 52, of Silver Street said she was running because she is “committed to Waterville and to serving a community that is inclusive, affordable and welcoming to everyone.”
Herard, assistant men’s and women’s cross-country coach at Thomas College, said she would work toward creating more economic opportunities for the city, including affordable housing and safe spaces for children and adults to learn, play and grow.
– Amy Calder, Morning Sentinel
9:35 a.m. — Gardiner candidate who spoke against policies for transgender students wins school board seat
Michelle Tucker has secured a spot to represent Gardiner on the Maine School Administrative District 11 school board. She beat three other candidates for the seat.
Tucker, 45, a social service specialist, came under fire after a police report was filed by the MSAD 11 school resource officer because Tucker approached two school board student representatives after a September meeting. Tucker, who has spoken out against state-mandated policies for transgender students, went up to the girls after a heated meeting.
Additionally, Tucker attended the public forum for a proposed school-based health center and questioned if gender-affirming care would be provided to students against the wishes of parents.
— Emily Duggan, Kennebec Journal
9:25 a.m. — Augusta, Winslow decide contested seats
Augusta residents elected Annalee Morris-Polley to an at-large seat on the City Council, as the newcomer beat two opponents in the race to fill the spot.
Morris-Polley, in unofficial results, received 3,601 votes, topping Bobby-Jo Bechard’s 2,735 and Joseph Wathen’s 2,149, to take a seat currently held by Abigail St. Valle, who did not take out papers seeking reelection. None of the three candidates in the race had held elected positions in the city before.
Also, in a three-way race to fill two at-large spots on the Augusta Board of Education, April Ambrose, with 4,919 votes, and Jonathan Reynolds, with 3,624 votes, took the seats, beating out Jane Maguire-Tyce, who received 3,015 votes. They will replace board members Kevin Lamoreau and Pia Holmes, whose terms expire at the end of the year.
In nearby Winslow, incumbent Dale Macklin and newcomer Doris Labranche won two open seats on the Town Council.
– Keith Edwards, Kennebec Journal, and Dylan Tusinski, Morning Sentinel
9:20 a.m. — The nation is watching Maine’s 2nd Congressional District
The results are still too close to call in Maine’s hotly contested race for Congress in the 2nd District.
With 72% of the vote tallied as of 9 a.m., incumbent U.S. Rep. Jared Golden was leading challenger Austin Theriault 50.8% to 48.9%. Golden had a lead of 5,237 votes, according to estimates from the Associated Press.
The race is among a handful of congressional races nationally that could determine the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. It drew about $30 million in combined spending from the candidates and outside groups.
– Rachel Ohm, Portland Press Herald
9 a.m. — Cape Elizabeth voters defeat $95M school project by narrow margin, elect new councilors
Cape Elizabeth rejected by fewer than 200 votes a sweeping $94.7 million proposal for school construction and renovation.
The vote to defeat the measure was 3,448 to 3,282.
Of the $94.7 million, $88.9 million would have been allocated for a new middle school, renovations and additions at the elementary school, and renovations at the high school. The other $4.8 million would have gone toward the 1934 building, which is currently part of the middle school.
The 51% to 49% vote against underscored the divide in town over a new school. While the majority of residents believe the town’s schools are in need of a hefty investment, some have opposed the cost, debated whether a new school should be part of the project and favored other options that were considered. Those in favor of the project argued a new middle school is the most fiscally responsible investment and would do more to meet the district’s educational needs in the present and future.
Voters also elected Elizabeth Scifres, John Sahrbeck and Andrew Swayze to the Town Council in a six-way race for three seats.
Christopher Boniakowski, Peter Joy Engel and Lee Schroeder were elected to the three open seats on the School Board with no challengers.
– Drew Johnson, Sentry/Leader
Sidney Morrill, center with flag shirt on, and his wife Caroline wait to scan their ballots at the South Portland Community Center on Tuesday. Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer
8:50 a.m. – Athletic complex, with a $12M price tag, fails in South Portland
South Portland voters supported school safety and maintenance bonds, but rejected a proposal to improve the high school athletic complex.
There had been considerable pushback on a proposal to spend $12 million to overhaul the athletic complex and install four synthetic fields. Leading up to Election Day, some residents said the price tag was too high at a time when people are seeing higher tax bills. In the end, 56% of voters said no to the project.
Candidates elected to the City Council on Tuesday include Misha Pride in District 3 and Jessica Walker in District 4. Rosemarie DeAngelis was reelected to the District 3 school board seat.
– Gillian Graham, Portland Press Herald
8:45 a.m. — Limits on hazard pay, short-term rentals pass in Portland
Voters approved referendum questions in Portland that will scale back the requirements for hazard pay and the number of short-term rentals in the city.
Question A, brought forth by citizen referendum, asked voters whether the city’s hazard pay ordinance should only go into effect when the city declares a state of emergency, not the governor. In 2020, voters approved an ordinance that means Portland workers are paid at least 1.5 times the minimum wage during states of emergency declared by the governor. That was approved by 59% of voters.
Question B, brought forth by the City Council, will amend the city code to ramp up short-term rental regulations, approved by 67% of voters. The measure will cap short-term rentals at 1.5% of the city’s rental stock, which is equal to about 290 based on current numbers. That’s far less than the current cap of 400 units for the entire city.
8:35 a.m. — Portland will hold runoff for two City Council seats
Ranked choice voting will decide the race for District 2 and an open at-large seat on the Portland City Council. The runoff will take place Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the State of Maine Room at City Hall.
No candidate in those races earned 50% of the vote. In District 2, Wes Pelletier was leading with 34% of the vote, followed by Nancy English with 24% and Atiim Boykin with 21%.
In the at-large race, Jess Falero and Ben Grant were tied with 26% of the vote, followed by Brandon Mazer with 24%.
Sarah Michniewicz won in District 1, and Maya Lena was elected to the school board.
8:30 a.m. – Question 1, limit on PAC spending, passes in Maine
A referendum to cap contributions to political action committees passed by a margin of 74%-26%, as of 8 a.m. Wednesday. The measure would limit contributions to $5,000 to PACs that make independent expenditures to elect or defeat candidates for public office.
Maine law already limits contributions to candidates. This ballot measure, organized by Mainers looking to stem the influence of money in politics, would limit contributions to political action committees that spend independently of candidates. It would not apply to ballot question committees that are established to support or oppose state or local referendums, or to political party committees. Individuals and corporations could still donate unlimited sums to committees seeking to influence voting on ballot measures and to political party committees.
8:15 a.m. – Maine poised to keep its current state flag
A proposal to redesign Maine’s flag state flag appeared to be in trouble Wednesday morning, with more than 70% of votes counted.
About 55% of voters, or around 318,000, were opposed to the redesign with 71% of the votes counted at 4:42 a.m.
Voters, however, approved four other ballot proposals that, if ultimately passed when all the votes are counted, will restrict political donations and borrow $65 million in bonds to promote research and development and commercialization of Maine’s tech industry, restore historic buildings owned by governmental and nonprofit organizations, and develop and maintain trails.
Read the story: Maine flag referendum appears headed for defeat, with most votes counted
6 a.m – Donald Trump wins U.S. presidency
Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States, an extraordinary comeback for a former president who refused to accept defeat four years ago, sparked a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, was convicted of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts.
Trump declared victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election early Wednesday morning, claiming a national win just hours after the final polls closed, and minutes after The Associated Press called his victory in Pennsylvania.
The AP called the national contest before 6 a.m. after the former president cleared the 270 electoral votes needed with a win in Wisconsin.
– Associated Press • Read the full story
11:40 p.m. – With close to 30% of precincts reporting in Maine, clarity still elusive in many races
Vice President Kamala Harris appears poised to win Maine, but she could lose the 2nd Congressional District and its one electoral vote to former President Donald Trump.
With 29% of precincts reporting, Harris leads Trump 51%-46% in Maine, a slightly smaller lead than recent polling. But Trump has a 57%-42% lead in the 2nd District.
August Watson of South Portland, Abigail Miller of Gorham and Eliot Wertheimer of South Portland check their phones for results during the Democrats watch party at Aura in Portland Tuesday night. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer
In the congressional race in that district, Republican Austin Theriault has a 53%-47% advantage over incumbent U.S. Rep. Jared Golden. That race had been considered a toss-up, but it has national implications.
During a brief speech late Tuesday in Bangor, Theriault also thanked his supporters.
“We had people coming into the political process that had given up on it, that felt like nobody cared about them,” he said. “We’re giving people hope for the future. We really want to fight for rural Maine, for rural America, for folks who feel lost and left behind.”
Theriault went on to say that the future depends on people working together, “and that’s what this campaign has been about.”
Theriault acknowledged a long night ahead, but flashed a thumbs up. “We’re ahead right now, we’ve got results coming in, so keep praying. Keep the positive vibes out there and I have a really good feeling — I’m cautiously optimistic that we’re going to pull this thing off.”
Golden did not address the media or supporters.
Austin Theriault, the Republican candidate for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, poses for a portrait with Zach Wood, 28, of Levant while attending an election watch party at Hollywood Casino Hotel in Bangor. Wood said he was a campaign volunteer and a “huge supporter” of Theriault. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer
In the 1st District race, incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree declared victory and had nearly 60% support. U.S. Sen. Angus King also appeared headed for victory against three opponents, with 51% of the vote.
As for referendum questions, the question about replacing the state flag was down 10 points. The bond questions and the effort to limit contributions to political action committees appeared headed for victory, although Question 3 – the historic community restoration bond – was neck and neck.
–Eric Russell and Ben McCanna, Portland Press Herald
11:05 p.m. – What does the presidential race look like?
The Electoral College map, as of 11 p.m., shows former president Donald Trump with a lead of 214-179 over Vice President Kamala Harris.
However, all of the states that have been called thus far by the Associated Press have been expected. All of the seven battleground states – Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania – remain too close to call.
It could still be several hours before there is clarity in the race.
Harris and her supporters are hoping to at least hold the Rust Belt states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, which would get her to exactly 270 votes if everything else turns out as projected.
If Trump can win any of those three, he would eclipse 270.
–Eric Russell, Portland Press Herald
11 p.m. – Election results still slow to materialize
The Associated Press called Maine’s heavily Democratic 1st Congressional District for Vice President Kamala Harris shortly before 11 p.m.
The rest of the state’s electoral votes are still being tallied. Harris led former President Donald Trump by roughly 7 percentage points around 11 p.m., but that figure represented only around 20% of the state’s total votes.
Polls closed at 8 p.m., but complete results for the state were not expected for hours or days afterward.
In 2020, the AP called Maine for President Biden shortly after 3 a.m. the morning after Election Day. That year, Maine gave one of its electoral votes to Trump and three to President Biden, marking the second time the state split its electoral votes.
If either candidate gets less than 50% of the total vote, the state’s ranked choice voting system will trigger an instant runoff. If that happens, it would be the first time such a runoff occurs during a presidential contest in Maine.
In congressional races, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree – who declared victory – has a 2-to-1 advantage over her Republican opponent, Ronald Russell.
In the 2nd District, Republican Austin Theriault has a 54%-45% advantage over the incumbent, Democrat Jared Golden. That race is expected to be close and could help determine which party controls the House.
U.S. Sen. Angus King leads his three opponents with slightly more than 50% of the vote.
On statewide referendum questions, there is support for all three bond questions (although not overwhelming) and for limiting contributions to political action committees. But early results suggests Mainers might reject an effort to replace the state flag.
–Eric Russell and Daniel Kool, Portland Press Herald
Send questions/comments to the editors.
We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is found on our FAQs. You can modify your screen name here.
Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve.
Join the Conversation
Please sign into your Sun Journal account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.