Results expected soon as ranked choice voting tabulations continue

AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) - Ranked choice voting tabulations are continuing Tuesday in Augusta, but the Secretary of State’s office says they’re close to getting results.

The process began last Friday for three major races - both the Democratic and Republican races for governor and the Democratic race in CD2.

The Secretary of State’s office says results may be revealed Wednesday.

Chief Deputy Secretary of State Kate McBrien says candidates in the top three of ranked choice also have the option to ask for a recount which could take days.

When results do come in, here’s what will happen.

“When we actually have the results, all you’re going to see is Julie Flynn, Deputy Secretary for Elections, announcing the results and one of us writing it on a whiteboard,” explained McBrien. “We tried the TV in ’24, and there was so much reflection, nobody could really see it well. So, we’re going low-tech, and it’ll work.“

The Maine Republican Party today releasing a statement regarding an issue with a memory stick from Biddeford.

They discussed issues with the Ranked Choice Voting system as a whole saying it fails Maine voters pointing the blame at Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.

The Secretary of State’s office says there have been no major issues, calling some of the problems routine in ranked choice.

They say the Biddeford thumb drive that was sent had local results instead of state results. The town of Bath did not include one drive, and Bowdoinham provided a drive that couldn’t be read.

They say law enforcement responded and brought the appropriate materials back to Augusta.