AUGUSTA (NEWS CENTER Maine) – The deadline for Rep. Bruce Poliquin to file for a recount in the race for the 2nd District congressional seat is Monday— if he wants one.
The Republican incumbent narrowly lost to Democratic challenger Jared Golden in a historic ranked-choice voting process just over a week ago.
Poliquin has since brought forward a federal lawsuit claiming RCV as unconstitutional.
The two-term representative gained a majority of votes in the first round over Golden but did not have the 50 percent necessary to claim victory. Golden ultimately won the race using ranked-choice with 50.53 percent.
The Poliquin campaign did not respond to questions about whether or not they plan to ask for a recount by the end of the day Monday, Nov. 26.
If requested, Poliquin would have to pay for the reprocessing of nearly 300,000 ballots that could take weeks.
Secretary of State, Matt Dunlap, said “the basic process isn’t any different” even after ranked-choice has been used.
11/6 – Election Day
11/13 – Ranked-Choice Lawsuit Filed
11/15 – Judge Denies Poliquin’s Request to Stop RCV Process & Golden wins with 50.53%
11/26 – Recount Deadline
12/5 – Federal Judge to Hear Case
NEWS CENTER Maine’s Zach Blanchard asked Poliquin on election night if he was going to challenge the results if it went to ranked-choice.
“We’re going to count all the votes, Zach,” Poliquin said. “We’re going to count all the votes and see where it ends up.”
Meanwhile, Golden is in Washington this week for an orientation for new members of Congress. He could even have an office assigned by the end of the week.
A federal judge will hear arguments in the RCV case on Dec. 5.