Maine Joins Multistate Effort for Popular Vote Presidential Election

Maine is set to join a multistate effort to elect the president by popular vote, as announced by Democratic Governor Janet Mills. The proposal, which will become law without her signature, involves a compact where each state allocates all its electoral votes to the national popular vote winner, irrespective of individual state results.

Governor Mills acknowledged the debate’s complexity, with opponents arguing that small states like Maine could lose influence if the electoral college ends, while proponents note that two of the last four presidents were elected through the electoral college despite losing the popular vote.

Mills stated, “the person who wins the most votes should become the president,” aligning with democratic principles. However, she allowed the bill to become law without her signature to continue the nationwide debate.

The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is currently on hold and won’t affect the upcoming November election. It will only take effect if states with at least 270 electoral votes pledge support. With Maine’s addition, the total would reach 209. The compact’s implementation also raises questions about the need for congressional approval.

Maine, one of two states that split their electoral votes, saw partisan lines drawn in the legislature debate, with Republicans united in opposition. The state awards two of its four electoral votes to the statewide presidential winner and one each to the winners of the congressional districts. Notably, in 2016 and 2020, Donald Trump won a single electoral vote from the conservative 2nd Congressional District.