If you were looking for a political earthquake in the Pine Tree State this past November, you probably ended up with a light tremor instead. Honestly, the Maine 2024 election results mostly reinforced what we already knew: Maine is a deeply divided state that somehow manages to keep its own unique, slightly quirky political identity intact.
You’ve got the "Two Maines" thing happening in real-time. On one hand, you have the coastal, urban south that leans heavily blue. On the other, the vast, rural 2nd District continues to be Trump country. It’s a fascinating split that most other states don’t have to deal with because they don't split their electoral votes like we do.
The Top of the Ticket: No Surprises, but Record Numbers
Let’s get the big one out of the way. Kamala Harris won the state overall. She took the two statewide electoral votes and the 1st District’s single vote. Donald Trump, for the third time in a row, snatched the 1 vote from the 2nd Congressional District.
Basically, it went exactly how the pollsters said it would.
But here’s the kicker: Harris actually pulled in the highest raw vote total of any presidential candidate in Maine's history. We're talking 435,652 votes. Even though the state swung about 2% to the right compared to 2020, the sheer volume of people showing up was massive. Maine usually leads the pack in voter turnout, and 2024 was no different, with about 74% of eligible voters casting a ballot.
📖 Related: 2024 poll closing times Explained (Simply): Why Results Felt So Slow
The 2nd District Tightrope
While the 1st District was a blowout (Harris won by over 20 points), the 2nd District was where the real drama lived. Trump won it comfortably with 53.8% of the vote. People in the North and West are clearly still vibing with his message on the economy and rural issues.
What’s wild is that while Trump won the district handily, the down-ballot congressional race was a total nail-biter.
Jared Golden and the Ranked-Choice Rollercoaster
If you want to talk about "human-quality" drama, look at Jared Golden. He’s the Democrat who somehow keeps winning in a district that loves Donald Trump. This time, he was up against Austin Theriault, a former NASCAR driver backed by the MAGA world.
It was close. Kinda "hold your breath" close.
Because neither candidate hit 50% on the first count—thanks to a few thousand blank or "other" ballots—we had to go to a ranked-choice runoff.
- Initial Count: Golden had a tiny lead of about 2,100 votes.
- The Runoff: After the secondary preferences were tallied, Golden’s lead actually grew to 2,706 votes.
- The Recount: Theriault asked for a hand recount (standard procedure when it's this tight), but the result held.
Golden’s win is a huge deal for national Democrats because it shows that a "Blue Dog," moderate approach can still work in rural America, even when the top of the ticket loses that same area by double digits.
Angus King and the Power of the Independent
Over in the Senate race, Angus King basically cruised. The Independent incumbent got 52.1% of the vote, beating Republican Demi Kouzounas and Democrat David Costello.
Mainers just seem to like King. He’s got that "sensible neighbor" energy that cuts through the partisan noise. It’s also worth noting that because he won more than 50% in the first round, we didn't need to use ranked-choice voting for this one. It was a clean, one-and-done win.
The Ballot Measures: What Most People Get Wrong
The Maine 2024 election results weren't just about people; they were about rules. We had five big questions on the ballot, and some of them had surprising outcomes.
Question 1: The Super PAC Cap (and the Legal Mess)
This was the most popular measure on the ballot. Nearly 75% of voters said "Yes" to limiting contributions to Super PACs to $5,000. People are sick of dark money. It makes sense.
However, here is the nuance: federal courts essentially killed this before it could really take effect. In July 2025, a judge ruled it unconstitutional, citing the First Amendment. So, even though Mainers overwhelmingly wanted it, the "big money" isn't going anywhere just yet. It’s a classic case of local will clashing with federal law.
The Flag Debate (Question 5)
Mainers are surprisingly passionate about their flag. Question 5 asked if we should ditch the current state seal flag for the old 1901 design (the one with the simple pine tree and the North Star).
People thought this was a slam dunk for the "Pine Tree" version since you see that merch everywhere. Nope. 56% of voters said "No." They’re sticking with the blue flag with the sailor and the farmer. Sorta goes to show that what’s trendy in Portland isn't always what the rest of the state wants.
Other Key Measures
- Research & Development: Voters approved $25 million in bonds for tech innovation (Question 2).
- Public Buildings: $10 million for restoring historic community buildings passed (Question 3).
- Outdoor Trails: A $30 million bond for trails passed with 55% support (Question 4).
Why These Results Actually Matter
When you look at the Maine 2024 election results in the rearview mirror, a few things stand out that you won't find in a standard news snippet.
First, the "Ranked-Choice" fatigue. While people still support the idea, the fact that it keeps getting triggered in the 2nd District is making the process feel longer and more expensive to some voters. Second, the youth vote in Maine is actually growing. We had some of the highest rural youth turnout in the entire country.
Lastly, the Republican party in Maine is getting more efficient. Even though they lost the statewide vote, they narrowed the gap and held onto their stronghold in the North. The "two Maines" aren't just a cliché; they are two completely different political ecosystems living under one roof.
Actionable Insights for the Next Cycle
If you're a political junkie or just a concerned citizen trying to make sense of the Maine 2024 election results, here’s what you should actually do with this info:
- Watch the Courts: The fate of Question 1 (campaign finance) is still being appealed. If you care about money in politics, following the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals is more important right now than following the state house.
- Pay Attention to the 2nd District: If you’re a campaigner, realize that the 2nd District isn't just "Republican"—it’s "Ticket-Splitter." Jared Golden proved you can win there as a Democrat if you focus on labor and local issues rather than national culture wars.
- Keep an Eye on the Flag: The 1901 flag supporters aren't giving up. Expect to see this come back in a different form, maybe as a legislative move rather than a ballot initiative.
- Register Early: Maine has same-day registration, which is great, but the 2024 lines were long. If you want to avoid the headache in the next midterm, check your status on the Secretary of State’s website now.
The 2024 cycle proved that Maine isn't a "safe" state for anyone. It's a place where you have to show up, talk to people in the general stores, and realize that a few thousand votes in a place like Aroostook County can literally change the balance of power in Washington.