Maine entered the Union in March 1820 as part of the Missouri Compromise. No state outside the original 13 colonies has started with more electoral votes â it had nine in the 1820 election. By the mid-19th century, Maine began losing electoral votes, and has had four since the 1964 election. Primarily Republican from the Civil War (going âblueâ only in 1912, 1964, and 1968) through the 1980s, Maine has voted Democratic in the last eight elections, although the 2016 race was quite close by recent historical standards, Hillary Clinton prevailed by 3% over Donald Trump. Joe Biden's 2020 margin of victory was 9%.
Maine has been a tale of two states in the last two elections, with the Democratic candidate winning the 1st congressional district and Trump winning the more rural 2nd district. This is significant in that Maine is one of only two states -along with Nebraska- that do not use a winner-take-all electoral vote allocation. Here, the winner of the statewide popular vote gets two electoral votes, while one is assigned to the winner of each district. As a result, Trump won one of the state's four electoral votes both times he was on the ballot.
FAQs
Primarily Republican from the Civil War (going “blue” only in 1912, 1964, and 1968) through the 1980s, Maine has voted Democratic in the last eight elections, although the 2016 race was quite close by recent historical standards, Hillary Clinton prevailed by 3% over Donald Trump.
How did Maine split their electoral votes? ›
Since 1972, Maine awards two electoral votes based on the statewide vote, and one vote for each of the two congressional districts. However, it is rare that this results in a split vote. It has done so twice, in 2016 and 2020. The only other state to allow for split electoral college votes is Nebraska.
How many electoral votes does Maine have in 2024? ›
Maine voters will choose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote. The state of Maine has four electoral votes in the Electoral College, following reapportionment due to the 2020 United States census in which the state neither gained nor lost a seat.
When was the last election in the US? ›
The 2020 United States presidential election was the 59th quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
Was Maine ever Republican? ›
MAINE POLITICS TODAY.
With only rare lapses, the Republican Party dominated Maine politics for a full century, from the birth of the GOP in 1854 until the election of Edmund S. Muskie as governor in 1954.
Is Maine a good place to live? ›
Low crime rate: Maine has a relatively low crime rate compared to other states, making it a safe and peaceful place to live. Natural beauty: Maine is known for its beautiful natural scenery, including the rugged coastline, dense forests, and numerous lakes and rivers.
When was the last time Maine voted red? ›
Although today Maine is considered somewhat Democratic in presidential elections having voted Democratic in every presidential election since 1992. While the governorship remains competitive, Republicans have held both houses of the state legislature simultaneously for only two years since 1974.
What are the only two states that don't have a winner-take-all electoral system? ›
All States, except for Maine and Nebraska, have a winner-take-all policy where the State looks only at the overall winner of the state-wide popular vote.
What two states can split their electoral votes? ›
Under the District Method, a State's electoral votes can be split among two or more candidates, just as a state's congressional delegation can be split among multiple political parties. As of 2022, Nebraska and Maine are the only states using the District Method of distributing electoral votes.
Is Maine a liberal state? ›
At the national level, Maine is generally a Democratic state, although its senate seats are often held by Republicans. However, it used to be a Republican state entirely, before tilting towards the Democrats in the 1960s.
Ballotpedia's presidential election coverage
- Texas gained two votes.
- Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina, and Oregon each gained one.
- California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia each lost one.
Electoral College Certificates and Votes by State
| State | Number of Electoral Votes for Each State | For Vice-President |
|---|
| Kentucky | 8 | 8 |
| Louisiana | 8 | 8 |
| Maine* | 4 | 1 |
| Maryland | 10 | - |
50 more rowsApr 16, 2021
In 1876 – Samuel Tilden won the presidential popular vote but came up one electoral vote shy and lost to Rutherford B. Hayes.
Who is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms? ›
The First Democrat elected after the Civil War, Grover Cleveland was the only President to leave the White House and return for a second term four years later. One of nine children of a Presbyterian minister, Cleveland was born in New Jersey in 1837. He was raised in upstate New York.
How old do you have to be to be president? ›
The U.S. Constitution states that the president must: Be a natural-born citizen of the United States. Be at least 35 years old. Have been a resident of the United States for 14 years.
What is Maine's political party? ›
At the national level, Maine is generally a Democratic state, although its senate seats are often held by Republicans.
Is Maine a red or blue state 2016? ›
Although regarded as a safe blue state prior to the election, Maine shifted dramatically and unexpectedly towards the Republicans, with Clinton's 2.96% margin of victory the narrowest for a Democrat since 1988, when Republicans last won the state, and well down on Obama's 15.29% margin in 2012.
Is Maine legislature Republican? ›
Welcome to The Maine House of Representatives
The Maine House consists of 151 individuals, (79 Democrats, 68 Republicans, 2 Independents and currently 2 Vacancies) Plus seats for three nonvoting members representing the Penobscot Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians.
Does Maine have a Republican governor? ›
The current governor is Democrat Janet Mills, who took office on January 2, 2019.
