Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin of Maine is dropping his legal challenge to the ranked-choice voting process in his home state and conceded to his Democratic opponent on Christmas Eve.
In a statement Monday, Poliquin said he believes “it’s in the best interest of my constituents and all Maine citizens to close this confusing and unfair chapter of voting history by ending any further legal proceedings.”
Poliquin, a two-term congressman, earned more total votes than Democrat Jared Golden in the first tabulation of votes from the midterm election on Nov. 6 but did not emerge as the majority leader. Poliquin then lost to Golden in a second round of tabulation in which votes for lagging candidates went toward voters’ second picks.
Poliquin challenged the constitutionality of Maine’s ranked-choice voting and also sought a recount. However, amid rising costs which reached $15,000 and results there likely would not change the outcome, Poliquin called off the recount earlier this month soon after a federal judge rejected his challenge to Maine’s voting process approved as part of a 2016 referendum. He had asked a federal appeals court in Boston to temporarily block the state from certifying the results of Golden’s victory, but the court refused last week.
Poliquin claimed in his statement Monday that “hundreds and hundreds” of Maine voters complained to him about the “unfair” ranked-choice voting process and noted that it is “unconstitutional, and therefore illegal, under Maine law in general elections to choose state officials like our Governor and State Legislators” following a state supreme court ruling in 2017. However, that ruling it did not apply to federal contests.
Ending his statement, Poliquin said he wishes Golden success in the coming term representing the 2nd Congressional District of Maine.
“Although we may disagree on the issues, I wish Jared Golden personally the best during the coming term,” he said. “It’s been an honor and privilege to serve you in Congress during these past four years. I wish everyone a Blessed and Merry Christmas, and a Happy Holiday Season!
