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MAINE's STATE LAWS REGARDING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS

  • Electoral College Votes Count: 4
  • Alocation Type: district
  • Electors Must Pledge: yes

Elector Pledge and Electoral College Votes Allocation​

Maine and Nebraska are the only states that do not use a winner-take-all system. Instead, in these two states, one electoral vote is awarded to the presidential candidate who wins the popular vote in each congressional district, and the remaining two electoral votes are awarded to the candidates receiving the most votes statewide. This is known as the district system. It is possible under the district system to split the electoral vote for the state.Maine is one of the states have passed laws that require their electors to vote as pledged. These laws may either impose a fine on an elector who fails to vote according to the statewide or district popular vote, or may disqualify an elector who violates his or her pledge and provide a replacement elector.

Election Code: 21-A Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 321, 804, 805

How Does Maine Select Its Electors?​

  • In a presidential election year, the presidential electors shall be chosen at the general election. A vote for the candidate for President is a vote for the presidential electors nominated by the candidate's political party or by petition. One presidential elector shall be chosen from each congressional district and 2 at large.

When Do The Electors Vote?​

  • The presidential electors shall convene in the House Chamber in Augusta at 2 p.m. on the first Monday after the 2nd Wednesday of December following their election. If any electors are not present, the electors present shall fill the vacancy by majority vote.

The presidential electors at large shall cast their ballots for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates who received the largest number of votes in the State. The presidential electors of each congressional district shall cast their ballots for the presidential and vice- presidential candidates who received the largest number of votes in each respective congressional district.

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