Maine governor certifies Dem’s win in disputed House race, but calls it ‘stolen election’

Maine Governor Paul LePage (R) certified Jared Golden’s (D) win in the state’s 2nd Congressional District Friday, but wrote “stolen election” next to his signature.

“I’ve signed off on the CD2 election result as it’s no longer in federal court,” the governor tweeted. “Ranked Choice Voting didn’t result in a true majority as promised-simply a plurality measured differently. It didn’t keep big money out of politics & didn’t result in a more civil election.”

LePage, who will be replaced by Janet Mills (D) in early January, included a picture of the certification where he had pencilled in “stolen election” next to his signature.

I’ve signed off on the CD2 election result as it’s no longer in federal court. Ranked Choice Voting didn’t result in a true majority as promised-simply a plurality measured differently. It didn’t keep big money out of politics & didn’t result in a more civil election #mepolitics pic.twitter.com/0fEhD1dvAb

— Paul R. LePage (@Governor_LePage) December 28, 2018

Golden defeated Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R) in a race that was ultimately decided by ranked-choice voting, a system instituted by Maine voters.

In ranked-choice voting, voters submit a ballot that ranks candidates in order of preference.

If no candidate initially receives 50 percent of the vote, then the candidate with the fewest first-place votes is eliminated and those votes are reallocated to the voters’ second choice candidates. 

Golden ended up winning the House seat because of the second- and third-place votes he received.

Poliquin immediately mounted a legal challenge to the system, but had his case thrown out. 

Earlier this month, Poliquin dropped his request for a recount, effectively ending his challenge to the race. The Republican congressman conceded defeat this week.