Maine’s ranked-choice tabulation following the June 2026 primary cost $245,932.63, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. About $26,855 of that was considered a direct expense that would not have occurred without the ranked-choice process. The largest expense was $144,054 in personnel costs, while law enforcement accounted for another $75,024.
The tabulation covered the Democratic and Republican gubernatorial primaries and the Democratic race for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. None of the races produced a candidate with more than 50% of the vote on election night.
The process began June 12 and continued through the following week, with the winners announced shortly before 2 a.m. June 19.
Hannah Pingree won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, followed by Nirav Shah, Troy Jackson and Shenna Bellows. Republican Bobby Charles won his primary, with Ben Midgley finishing second and Jonathan Bush third.
In the 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary, Matt Dunlap won the nomination. Joe Baldacci finished second, Jordan Wood third and Paige Loud fourth.
Other tabulation expenses included $12,300 for vendor support, $11,928 in overtime, $1,240 in meal reimbursements and $1,387 for space rental.
Maine uses ranked-choice voting in state-level primary elections and in general elections for federal offices. It is not used for state legislative or gubernatorial general-election races.
Info obtained from a story at WMTW TV.
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