Honestly, if you were looking for a simple, one-size-fits-all headline for the Maine voting results 2024, you’re out of luck. Maine did what Maine does best: it stayed weird, fiercely independent, and mathematically complicated. While the rest of the country was watching the big blue and red blocks on the news, Maine was busy slicing its four electoral votes like a Thanksgiving pie.
Kamala Harris took the state overall. That’s the "big" news, but it's only half the story. Donald Trump didn't leave empty-handed; he snatched a single electoral vote from the 2nd Congressional District, a move that’s becoming a bit of a tradition for him. Meanwhile, down-ballot races saw some familiar faces holding onto their seats by their fingernails.
It was a long night. Or rather, a long couple of weeks for some. From a historic recount in the north to a rejected flag design that had everyone talking at the local diners, the 2024 cycle was anything but boring.
What Really Happened With the Maine Voting Results 2024 Presidential Race?
You've probably heard that Maine is one of only two states (shoutout to Nebraska) that doesn't just give all its electoral votes to the winner of the popular vote. This is why the Maine voting results 2024 look so fragmented. Basically, the state awards two votes for the statewide winner and one for the winner of each of its two congressional districts.
Kamala Harris grabbed 3 electoral votes. She won the statewide popular vote with 52.4% (435,652 votes) and dominated the 1st District. Donald Trump took the 1st electoral vote by winning the 2nd District with 53.8% of the tally there.
It’s a fascinating divide. In the 1st District, Harris crushed it with nearly 60% of the vote. But once you cross into the 2nd District—think Lewiston, Bangor, and the vast North Woods—the vibe shifts completely. Trump pulled in 212,235 votes there compared to Harris’s 174,614.
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Ranked-choice voting (RCV) was technically in play for the presidential race, but we didn't actually need it. Because both candidates cleared the 50% hurdle in their respective areas, the "instant runoff" never happened. It was a clean, first-round win for both sides in their specific territories.
The Jared Golden Recount Saga
If you want to talk about stress, let's talk about Jared Golden. The Democrat from the 2nd District is basically a political unicorn at this point. He’s a Democrat who consistently wins in a district that loves Donald Trump.
The race against Republican Austin Theriault, a former NASCAR driver, was so tight it felt like a photo finish at Oxford Plains Speedway. Golden ended up with 197,151 votes to Theriault’s 194,445.
That’s a margin of about 0.6%. Theriault called for a recount, which is fair when things are that close. For weeks, election officials were hunched over ballots, and the drama didn't officially wrap up until mid-December. Golden held on, proving once again that he’s got a unique brand of "Maine moderate" that resonates even with voters who check the box for Trump at the top of the ticket.
Angus King and the Power of the Independent
While the House races were a nail-biter, the Senate race was... well, a bit more predictable. Angus King, the state's junior Senator and resident "cool uncle" of Maine politics, cruised to a third term.
King secured 52.1% of the vote. He’s an Independent, but he caucuses with the Democrats, giving him a powerful swing position in D.C. His main challenger, Republican Demi Kouzounas, pulled in about 34.6%.
Interestingly, the Democratic candidate in that race, David Costello, only managed 10.8%. It seems like most Maine Democrats figured King was their best bet and didn't want to split the ticket. King’s win shows that even in a hyper-polarized era, Mainers still have a soft spot for the "I" next to a candidate's name.
The Flag and the PACs: Ballot Measures People Actually Cared About
Forget the politicians for a second. Let's talk about the flag. Question 5 was arguably the most heated debate at kitchen tables from Kittery to Fort Kent.
Voters were asked if they wanted to ditch the current blue flag with the state seal for the "1901 original" design—the one with the simple pine tree and the North Star. You’ve seen it on hats, stickers, and t-shirts for years. It’s trendy. It’s "vintage Maine."
But when it came down to the official vote? Maine said no.
About 56% of voters chose to keep the old flag. Some argued the current one has "Civil War significance," while others just didn't want to spend the money to change every flag on every state building. It was a surprising loss for the "Pine Tree Flag" enthusiasts who thought the momentum was on their side.
On the policy side, Question 1 was a massive "Yes." About 75% of voters agreed to limit contributions to Super PACs to $5,000. It’s a bold move for campaign finance reform, though legal experts are already whispering about whether it will hold up in court given current federal law.
Quick Stats Breakdown
- Voter Turnout: Approximately 74.2%. Mainers always show up.
- Question 2 (Red Flag Law): Passed. Maine became the 22nd state to enact an Extreme Risk Protection Order process.
- Chellie Pingree (1st District): Sailed through with 58.7% of the vote. No surprises there.
- State Legislature: Democrats managed to maintain control of both the State House and the State Senate, though Republicans made some small gains in rural pockets.
Why These Results Still Matter for 2026 and Beyond
The Maine voting results 2024 tell a story of a state that is deeply split along geographic lines but surprisingly consistent in its habits. The "Two Maines" theory isn't just a cliché; it's a mathematical reality.
Southern Maine and the coast are becoming a Democratic stronghold that rivals some of the bluest parts of New England. Meanwhile, the 2nd District remains one of the most important rural bellwethers in the country. The fact that Jared Golden can win there while Trump also wins there suggests that "split-ticket" voting isn't dead yet—at least not in the woods of Maine.
What should you take away from all this?
First, keep an eye on those campaign finance limits. If Question 1 survives the inevitable lawsuits, Maine could become a blueprint for other states trying to curb "dark money."
Second, the rejection of the flag change suggests a certain cultural conservatism—even among some liberals—that values tradition over "branding" or trends.
If you’re a political junkie or just a concerned citizen, your next move is simple. Go to the Maine Secretary of State's website and look at the "Tabulation of Votes" for your specific town. You might be surprised to see just how narrow the margins were in your own backyard. It's also a good time to check your voter registration status for the 2026 midterms, because in a state this divided, every single vote actually does change the math.