I know that in WA, a candidate defeated in a primary is not a valid write-in.
Obviously that wasn't the case in Alaska.
In some states, a third party can
replace their candidate with the loser of a major party primary. Alaska allowed this---you may recall Murkowski talking with the Libertarian Party about this possibility. This isn't allowed in Maine, based on what I've read.... Not sure about a write-in campaign.
Snowe would easily win as an independent candidate, though. If anything the Democrat would get third place:
Emily Cain (D): 17
Scott D'Amboise (R): 21
Olympia Snowe (I): 54
Undecided: 7
Rosa Scarcelli (D): 15
Scott D'Amboise (R): 20
Olympia Snowe (I): 56
Undecided: 9
Emily Cain (D): 15
Andrew Ian Dodge (R): 19
Olympia Snowe (I): 56
Undecided: 10
Rosa Scarcelli (D): 13
Andrew Ian Dodge (R): 19
Olympia Snowe (I): 57
Undecided: 10
(MoE: ±2.8%)
http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_ME_03091023.pdf
