Who else is following the Maine Senate Race?

[aaaaaa5a]

The Maine Senate race has 88% reporting. Susan Collins currently sits with 50.5% of the vote.

Correct me if I am wrong but what if Collins falls below 50%? Doesn't this mean they go to the rank listing on the ballot to determine the winner?

Why did we already concede this?

[W_HAMILTON]

1. I didn't understand that myself...

[dixiechiken1]

2. Doesn't matter if a candidate concedes...

A concession is nothing more than a courtesy. It is not "legally binding."

[genxlib]

3. Not sure what you are seeing

But Politico shows it at 51.1% with 99% reporting

[aaaaaa5a]

4. My source is the New York Times.

That is what they are currently showing.

Either way, we conceded very early.

[OAITW r.2.0]

7. Concessions can be unconceded....nt

[genxlib]

9. Bangor Daily News

Here https://bangordailynews.com/maine-elections/

Also shows similar of 51.2% and 97.4% called.

It does not seem close enough to get your hopes up. Even if it went to a ranked choice, it would take an overwhelmingly large percentage of the third party candidates to change the outcome with it being a squeaker under 50.

[aaaaaa5a]

12. Thank you for the clarification.

This place is better than the "google machine!"

[OAITW r.2.0]

5. Wow, interesting. I thought Collins had declared victory and Gideon conceded....

but if there are still 12% left and Collins's lead has shrunk to this level, I am encouraged. I wonder if these are mail-ins coming in way big in Gideon's favor? Will be taking another look! I voted for Sarah and was really bummed that Sue "2 terms only" Collins was in the driver's seat.

[aaaaaa5a]

8. I just wish I could find some clarity.

Even at 99% reporting, she only has to fall 1 percent
to trigger a ballot ranking runoff.

[OAITW r.2.0]

11. Then we are in run-off territory? That would be a huge turn of events!

I believe Sarah would crush Collins if this election became a national focus with a run off.

[PTWB]

14. It isn't a traditional runoff.

They have ranked choice voting - it is an instant runoff. There will not be another campaign. The folks already voted for their second choice and third choice and so on. They'll use that information to determine the winner assuming that Collins does fall below 50%.

[OAITW r.2.0]

17. You'd think I'd know this....

as I voted in this race. There were 4 candidates.D/I/I/R. I ranked it D/I/I...no vote for Collins. I honestly knew nothing about either Independent. You are correct, no majority, vote...no ranked choice. I think Gideon could win this if it gets to the next round.

[PTWB]

20. I hope she does!

And thank you for voting!!

[kurtcagle]

6. Concessions

Are not binding, though you obviously don't want the optics of going back on it. I suspect though, that if it looks like Collins can be taken down, the DNC will point to the vote itself. I'd say it's unlikely that this won't go the same way, but this is such a screwy race and the consequences are so high that the DNC would be fools not to take advantage of the opportunity.

[OAITW r.2.0]

13. As kurtcagle says above. ...it's "bad optics". Given the Republicaqn's history on "bad optics",

I say, screw them!

[58Sunliner]

15. Bad optics is their brand.

I deleted my other post because the NYT apparently does not have current info.
https://www.wmtw.com/article/maine-election-results-updates-nov-4/34571436
Unfortunately Collins did not fall below 50%.

[GopherGal]

16. Don't they do ranked-choice voting?

Not that I really understand how it works, but I think there are other processes that would precede another vote.

[OAITW r.2.0]

18. It would. One candidate needs 50% to win. If that threshold isn't met, they add your 2nd choice,

and 3rd,. if needed. I will be fascinated as to how this turns out.

Ranked choice came about when 67% of the Maine voters wanted someone other than Paul LePage for Governor (Dem or Ind). He got elected because we split the vote.

[58Sunliner]

19. Yes they do. Unfortunately I quoted the NYT and they were not current stats.