Mainers are divided over the Legislature’s decision to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact — as well as with respect to the state’s current method of distributing its electoral votes — according to the Pine Tree State Poll, a States of Opinion Project conducted by the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Survey Center.
This Compact approved by Maine lawmakers earlier this year will only be implemented if the total number of electoral votes represented by the signatories is equal to or greater than 270, the threshold necessary for a candidate to win the presidency.
By joining this Compact, Maine’s four electoral votes could eventually be awarded to whichever presidential candidate garners the most votes nationwide, irrespective of who the majority of Mainers vote for at the ballot box.
[RELATED: Maine Joins the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact]
While 35 percent of Mainers indicated support for the state’s decision to join this Compact, 37 percent expressed opposition.
When broken down by party identification, however, a stark divide emerges, with 69 percent of Democrats supporting the Compact and 73 percent of Republicans opposing it.
Among Independents, a plurality of 43 percent expressed opposition to Maine’s decision to join the Compact, compared to just 16 percent that supported it. 33 percent of Independents said they felt neutral about it.
Mainers in the First and Second Congressional Districts also had noticeably different opinions regarding the state’s decision to join the Compact.
While 41 percent of District 2 residents were either somewhat or strongly opposed to the Compact, roughly the same percentage (43 percent) of District 1 residents said that they were in support of it
Just 27 percent of Mainers in the Second District indicated that they were either somewhat or strongly supportive of Maine’s participation in the Compact.
Respondents were also asked about their preferred method for distributing Maine’s electoral votes among presidential candidates.
Maine is currently one of two states — the other being Nebraska — to distribute their electoral votes based on congressional districts.
Under this system, the winner of each district is awarded one electoral vote, and the overall winner is awarded two statewide electoral votes.
Less than half of all Mainers (48 percent) indicated that they would like to continue utilizing this system, while 37 percent who said they would prefer switching to the winner-take-all method used throughout the rest of the country.
Democrats were less favorable toward Maine’s current system, with just 33 percent saying that they would like to see the state continue awarding electoral votes with this method, compared to 63 percent of Republicans and 50 percent of Independents.
Mainers in the Second District are also more supportive of maintaining the current method of electoral vote distribution compared to those in First District.
While 53 percent of Second District respondents expressed support for the district-based allocation method, just 42 percent of those in the First District said the same.
Click Here to Read the Full Results of the Poll
Democrats: We don’t want a few swing states to determine the outcome of the election…
Republicans: So you want CA, NY, MA, MI and ILs to determine the out outcome of the election…
Democrats, we lose we change the rules, cheat whatever it takes to preserve their”democracy ” since they cannot win on policy.
So it doesn’t matter how you vote. Maine is the last kid to be picked for a team and will literally get on their knees to hang with anybody who’ll acknowledge their existence. Nice place you got there Janet. Grow some balls Maine, flush these turds show some independence.
Austin Theriault should pledge to put in legislation calling for congressional approval of the NPV Interstate Compact as the Constitution requires. Golden has already refused to do so.
I’d like to point out that LD 1578 was sponsored by Rep. Art Bell (D-Yarmouth). Whenever Democrats sense they are in danger of losing power, they always try to change the rules… or cheat.
Not surprising that Mainers that voted against peace and prosperity in 2020 would vote to disenfranchise all Maine voters !
It’s the DEMOCRATS that are behind ALL this nonsense .
Ranked Choice Voting …..a confusing scheme to elect more democrats
This “ Popular Vote Compact “ ….a way to let California have OUR votes
Change the Supreme Court
End the Filibuster
Pay the debts of delinquent borrowers
Did you hear that Kamala wants to give illegal aliens $ 150,000 for a down payment for a home ?
These F—-king Democrats need to be voted out in November !
Save Maine
Save America
Vote these idiots out !
Maine may be too far gone. Ranked choice voting, this, and the fact that only 40% think we are on the wrong track. Pretty sad, I’ve been here since the 60s, and wow has it changed…. Stupid people doing stupid things to get stupid prizes.
What does it matter ? Only a fool would believe their “vote” counts for anything in this state anyway. Ranked Choice voting destroyed elections in Maine and the almost nonexistent Maine GOP has done nothing to stop it. Those wealthy GOP politicians just grabbed their millions in “spoils” and ran away into hiding, leaving us to hold the bag. Who would vote for those cowards now anyway ?
For those uninformed supporters, learn about the Connecticut Compromise (1787). The idea then was to not allow the more populous states to dictate to the smaller states (Delaware being dictated to by NY at the time). The same exact issue exists today. The only reason to nullify that is to get one parties agenda through even when they don’t have the support of one or more states. In this case the ideology in favor of this insanity is to support the D’s agenda. For further reading check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut_Compromise
Typical democrat tactics, to “Save democracy” by taking away My vote, ‘n giving it to themselves,….
Just remember when hunting season starts and you have to wait 72 hours before purchasing a new rifle, the Democrats did that to you. Vote Republican across the ballot from now on to preserve your rights.
Why would anyone in right mind want to give up their vote (voice) to Mass, NY, CA and another larger population states? This ensures that large population centers in cities and States that are almost exclusively run by one party rule over the rest of us.
Our forefathers created a magnificent Constitution in order to give us the citizens protection from our own government. Our Constitution created a balance of power which is now being compromised by one party rule.
This voter compact is a result of one party rule. Why would anyone in right mind support any Democrat that is complicit in creating dependency. Look around, Democrats creat a problem, then creat a solution to the problem that leads to more government control, more taxes, more fees, more subsidies and more of their power. Ultimately one sees Freedom diminished and at some point taken away.
Recall the obedience training during Covid? The government mandated people under law to stay indoors. The snitching hot lines created by Walz and others while the elites lived a more normal day. The severe misinformation that still continues, the shut downs of everything but rioting and illegal border crossings. The complete government control. Many believe that was a planned event. That’s picture of the world our children will live in when we completely succumb to one party rule.
Our government functions best when there is a balance in power. Give and take negotiations toward what’s good for all Mainers not just special interest like what is taking place in Maine. In Maine government there has been no negotiations. My way or the highway so to speak and there is nothing the other party can do. Complete Rule!
We need balance in government. Any sensible person who cherishes the freedom they inherited will vote to assure that balance. Voting or not voting has serious consequences.