ME: Independents Gaining Traction

[MAINEiac4434]

My vote on Thursday evening (in-person absentee voting at the Augusta City Clerk's office, which had extended hours until 7:00 that evening):

1. Cote
2. M. Dion (maineiac4434🌲🌹's account of his negative experiences with him dropped him down a peg)
3. Eves (he rallied significantly in my estimation at the end)
4. Sweet
5. Mills (she dropped significantly in my estimation at the end)
6. D. Dion
7. Russell

Yeah, I know that means I ranked the three men above the four women, but I did vote for Kellie Julia over John Glowa in the State Senate primary in my district.  Electability was key for me (and yes I think Donna Dion is more electable than Diane Russell).

Thanks. I'll support him in the general, obviously, but he strikes me as just like LePage, except a Democrat. We need compassion and intelligence, not bravado.

[MAINEiac4434]

So how will results work tomorrow? I think nobody will reach 50% so a winner won't be announced for a while?

Exactly.

We should have some idea. For example, if Janet Mills isn't in first by a least a few points, she's probably screwed.

[MAINEiac4434]

Apparently, turnout is high. I don’t know if it means “high for a primary” or actually high, but that’s what I’m hearing.

Also: LePage said he want certify the results because of RCV meaning this nightmare will never ever end.

[MAINEiac4434]

Do you think that voters will vote to repeal RCV?

I think 60% will vote to keep it.

LePage says he probably won't certify election results (because RCV): http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/391836-gop-maine-governor-says-he-probably-wont-certify-results-of-ranked-choice

Secretary of State says he doesn't have to: https://t.co/ZFmT0jgDK2

[MAINEiac4434]

Hashtag to follow for tonight: https://twitter.com/hashtag/mepolitics

According to the Press Herald, RCV is increasing turnout: https://www.pressherald.com/2018/06/12/new-voting-system-credited-for-good-primary-turnout/

[MAINEiac4434]

Press Herald's results page, for the primaries and RCV referendum: https://www.pressherald.com/2018/06/12/june-2018-maine-election-results/

BDN's results page: https://bangordailynews.com/maine-elections/

[MAINEiac4434]

[MAINEiac4434]

Guhhh this is going to be the longest half hour of my life.

[MAINEiac4434]

Well, then here's hoping Sweet is at least third.

That would be fantastic. Also take a close fourth.

[MAINEiac4434]

I'm so nervous I think I'm going to throw up.

[MAINEiac4434]

Hearing conflicting turnout reports. Apparently they ran out of ballots in Falmouth (bougie suburb of Portland) but turnout was particularly low in Lewiston (industrial city in CD2).

Maineiac I'm stealing your signature until we get a winner.

By all means.

I'm so nervous I think I'm going to throw up.

Calm down, go get a drink of water, and breathe.  Just relax man, I think the end of the night will be Sweet

I'm so nervous I think I'm going to throw up.

Breathe!

Polls are closed...

Betsy just told me the same thing.

[MAINEiac4434]

First results from the middle of Aroostook:

Betsy: 1
Janet Mills: 1
Everyone else: 0

STOP THE COUNT

[MAINEiac4434]

We want to be in third, above Eves. This is great.

Where is Betsy's base expected to be?

Cumberland and Kennebec.

[MAINEiac4434]

Why is Cote starting so strong?

York has the most in and is his base.

[MAINEiac4434]

If Mills ends up getting second behind Cote, won't the vast majority of her voters move to Cote?

No, Mills has attacked Cote over the last few days for being registered as a Republican when he was younger. Her voters will move to literally everyone else.

[MAINEiac4434]

Sweet is a strong second in Franklin, and a good third in Cumberland as well, this is what she needs to be doing right MAINEiac?

Exactly. We LOVE where we are right now.

[MAINEiac4434]

Sweet beginning to pull away from Eves as Kennebec, Hancock, and the rest of the state start to come in.  She's in third or second in every county statewide excluding York, Sagadahoc, and Penobscot at the moment.  She's doing very well imo.

Does she really have a realistic shot at winning the runoff?

Yes. She's A LOT of people's second choices. We are right where we want to be.

[MAINEiac4434]

Betsy isn't doing well in York because Mark Eves is from South Berwick, a town in York County.

[MAINEiac4434]

I don't think Sweet would beat Moody.

lol good one

[MAINEiac4434]

I am very, very happy where we are. We have a path. That's more than many were saying a few weeks ago.

[MAINEiac4434]

All of this is without Betsy's home town of Hallowell.

[MAINEiac4434]

We need basically all of Mark Eves’ 2nd choices to surpass Cote.

[MAINEiac4434]

When do we get the news re: how preferences are distributed?

No idea. Rumor has it six days, I don’t believe it. I do think Friday is when the results are delivered to Augusta for certification and redistribution, however. If so, UGH.

Also: it’s really great how the media is ignoring that a progressive activist finished above the former Speaker of the House. Really. Great.

[MAINEiac4434]

Looks like Sweet is doing well. I'm happy for you, maineiac
Also, I'm glad to see Jared Golden winning in ME-2, the results seem decent.

Also, look at the Democratic turnout numbers compared to Republican. Very, very good night to be a Maine Democrat.

Ranked choice voting passed again, too.

[MAINEiac4434]

Sweet's hometown of Hallowell still has not reported a single vote.

Sweet and Eves combined dominated Portland.