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Maine Governor Calls Ranked-Choice Voting 'Repugnant'

Robert F. Bukaty
/
Associated Press
In this May 5, 2018, file photo Gov. Paul LePage speaks at the Republican Convention in Augusta, Maine.

AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine's Republican governor is casting doubts on election results while a GOP congressman continues a federal lawsuit over Maine's new voting system. Gov. Paul LePage called Maine's ranked voting system "repugnant'' to constitutional rights in Wednesday filings.
 
Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin is fighting to undo Democratic opponent Jared Golden's election under ranked-choice voting, which allows voters to rank candidates.
 
Poliquin asked courts Tuesday to prevent Maine from certifying an election winner. LePage declined to sign an election certificate Maine sent to the House showing Golden won.
 
State law discusses whether governors can issue such certificates when elections face litigation.
 
But Democratic Secretary of State Matt Dunlap's brief says such law only applies when state courts resolve recounts. Dunlap says it's up to the House whether to seat Golden Jan. 3.