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Dunlap: 2nd review shows GOP candidate missed making June ballot

Linn's spokesman said he's disappointed in the findings.
Credit: NEWS CENTER Maine

AUGUSTA (NEWS CENTER Maine) — Maine Republicans may not have to decide a U.S. Senate primary after all.

Secretary of State Matt Dunlap ruled Tuesday that Max Linn’s nominating petitions were 10 signatures short of the number needed to qualify for the ballot. It is the latest in a series of challenges and hearings since petitions were filed March 15.

Linn’s petitions were challenged by GOP candidate Eric Brakey, who claimed many of the Linn signatures were invalid or fraudulent. After a hearing in late March, Dunlap rejected a number of signatures but Linn still had enough remaining to get on the ballot.

The Brakey campaign appealed to Superior Court, claiming to have found more improper signatures. The judge agreed with Brakey and ordered the secretary of state to hold a second hearing, which was done Tuesday.

According to a press release from Secretary Dunlap’s office, the hearing showed evidence of more invalid signatures and left the Linn campaign 10 votes short of the 2,000 names needed to make the ballot. Dunlap said Linn had 1,990 valid signatures, just shy of the 2,000 needed.

Linn's spokesman told The Associated Press that he's disappointed in the findings.

The issue will be back in court Wednesday morning for a final determination by the judge, according to the release. Assuming there is no additional information to change the number again, it appears that Brakey will be the only remaining GOP candidate for U.S. Senate.

Secretary Dunlap does, however, say it is too late to change the ballots, because absentee voting begins May 12. Therefore, Linn’s name will still appear on the primary ballot, but voters will be instructed that he is not actually a candidate.

Supplemental Ruling of the Secretary of State Pursuant to Superior Court Order to Consider Additional Evide... by NEWSCENTER26 on Scribd

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