2008 United States presidential election in Maine

Last updated

2008 United States presidential election in Maine
Flag of Maine.svg
  2004 November 4, 2008 2012  
  Obama portrait crop.jpg John McCain 2009 Official.jpg
Nominee Barack Obama John McCain
Party Democratic Republican
Home state Illinois Arizona
Running mate Joe Biden Sarah Palin
Electoral vote40
Popular vote421,923295,273
Percentage57.71%40.38%

Maine Presidential Election Results 2008.svg
Maine Presidential Election Results CD 2008.svg
Maine Presidential Results 2008 by Municipality.svg

President before election

George W. Bush
Republican

Elected President

Barack Obama
Democratic

The 2008 United States presidential election in Maine took place on November 4, 2008, and was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Maine is one of two states in the U.S. that instead of all of the state's four electors of the Electoral College to vote based upon the statewide results of the voters, two of the individual electors vote based on their congressional district because Maine has two congressional districts. The other two electors vote based upon the statewide results. See below in the section of Electors for more information.

Contents

Maine once again displayed its status as a blue state, with Democrat Barack Obama taking the state with 57.71% of the vote and a difference of 126,650 votes. Maine is one of only two states, along with Nebraska, to not allocate its electoral votes via a winner-take-all system; rather, two electoral votes are allocated to the statewide winner and one for the winner in each individual congressional district. Maine at-large and its 1st district has voted Democratic since 1992, and the 2nd district did the same until Donald Trump won it in 2016 and 2020. It is also the only state in New England where a county voted for Republican John McCain, with Piscataquis County giving McCain roughly 50.7% of the vote.

Caucuses

Campaign

Predictions

There were 16 news organizations who made state-by-state predictions of the election. Here are their last predictions before election day:

SourceRanking
D.C. Political Report [1] Likely D
Cook Political Report [2] Solid D
The Takeaway [3] Solid D
Electoral-vote.com [4] Solid D
Washington Post [5] Solid D
Politico [6] Solid D
RealClearPolitics [7] Solid D
FiveThirtyEight [5] Solid D
CQ Politics [8] Solid D
The New York Times [9] Solid D
CNN [10] Lean D
NPR [5] Solid D
MSNBC [5] Solid D
Fox News [11] Likely D
Associated Press [12] Likely D
Rasmussen Reports [13] Safe D

Polling

Obama won every single pre-election poll. The final 3 polls averaged Obama leading 55% to 39%. [14]

Fundraising

John McCain raised a total of $465,676 in the state, while Barack Obama raised $2,205,059. [15]

Advertising and visits

Obama spent $1,216,060 while McCain and the RNC spent $444,529. [16] The Obama ticket didn't visit the state, but both McCain and Palin visited Maine once. [17]

Analysis

Maine is located in New England, an area that has become a Democratic Party stronghold. It was once a classic Yankee Republican state. It identified with the newly formed GOP in 1856 and stayed in the GOP fold for most of the next 132 years. The GOP carried the state in all but three elections (1912, 1964 and 1968) from 1856 to 1988. Additionally, Maine and Vermont were the only two states that voted against Franklin D. Roosevelt in all four of his campaigns. However, no Republican presidential nominee has carried Maine since George H. W. Bush in 1988, leading many analysts to reckon the state as part of the solid bloc of blue states in the Northeast. While George W. Bush seriously contested the state in 2000 and 2004, polls in 2008 never showed anything but a significant Obama lead.

Ultimately, Obama won the state by a comfortable margin, taking 57.71% of the vote—the highest percentage by a Democrat in Maine since Lyndon B. Johnson carried it as part of his 44-state landslide in 1964, although Bill Clinton in 1996 won with a wider margin when third parties were a factor. As evidence of how Democratic Maine has become, George W. Bush at the time was only the second Republican ever to win the White House without carrying Maine, the first being Richard Nixon in 1968 when Maine Senator Edmund Muskie was the Democratic vice-presidential nominee. At the same time, however, incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins defeated former Democratic U.S. Representative Tom Allen and won reelection to a third term with 61.33% of the vote. Maine was the only state carried by Obama to elect a Republican to the U.S. Senate in 2008.

The seat in Maine's 1st Congressional District that was vacated by Tom Allen in his unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate was retained by Democrat Chellie Pingree. At the state level, Democrats made gains in the Maine Legislature, picking up six seats in the Maine House of Representatives and one seat in the Maine Senate.

Results

Statewide

2008 United States presidential election in Maine
PartyCandidateRunning mateVotesPercentageElectoral votes
Democratic Barack Obama Joe Biden 421,92357.71%4
Republican John McCain Sarah Palin 295,27340.38%0
Independent Ralph Nader Matt Gonzalez 10,6361.45%0
Green Cynthia McKinney Rosa Clemente 2,9000.40%0
Libertarian Bob Barr (write-in) Wayne Allyn Root (write-in)2510.03%0
Constitution Chuck Baldwin (write-in)Darrell Castle (write-in)1770.02%0
Totals731,163 100.00%4
Voter turnout %

Congressional District

Barack Obama won both of Maine’s two congressional districts.

DistrictMcCainObamaRepresentative
1st 37.69%60.51% Tom Allen (110th Congress)
Chellie Pingree (111th Congress)
2nd 43.35%54.61% Mike Michaud

By county

CountyBarack Obama
Democratic
John McCain
Republican
Various candidates
Other parties
MarginTotal votes cast
# %# %# %# %
Androscoggin 31,01756.55%22,67141.33%1,1622.12%8,34615.22%54,850
Aroostook 19,34553.75%15,89844.17%7512.09%3,4479.58%35,994
Cumberland 105,21864.10%56,18634.23%2,7471.67%49,03229.87%164,151
Franklin 10,11358.87%6,62738.58%4382.55%3,48620.29%17,178
Hancock 18,89558.74%12,68639.44%5841.82%6,20919.30%32,165
Kennebec 37,23856.43%27,48241.65%1,2661.92%9,75614.78%65,986
Knox 13,72859.74%8,81638.36%4361.90%4,91221.38%22,980
Lincoln 11,88655.07%9,28743.03%4111.90%2,59912.04%21,584
Oxford 17,94056.68%12,86340.64%8472.68%5,07716.04%31,650
Penobscot 41,61451.72%37,49546.60%1,3581.69%4,1195.12%80,467
Piscataquis 4,43046.96%4,78550.72%2192.32%-355-3.76%9,434
Sagadahoc 12,15257.05%8,72140.94%4282.01%3,43116.11%21,301
Somerset 13,33551.77%11,86746.07%5562.16%1,4685.70%25,758
Waldo 11,96754.77%9,42343.13%4602.10%2,54411.64%21,850
Washington 8,24649.51%8,07748.50%3311.99%1691.01%16,654
York 64,79959.36%42,38938.83%1,9731.81%22,41020.53%109,161
Total421,92357.71%295,27340.38%13,9671.91%126,65017.33%731,163
County Flips:
Democratic
Hold
Gain from Republican
Republican
Hold Maine County Flips 2008.svg
County Flips:

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

Electors

Technically the voters of Maine cast their ballots for electors: representatives to the Electoral College. Maine is allocated 4 electors because it has 2 congressional districts and 2 senators. All candidates who appear on the ballot or qualify to receive write-in votes must submit a list of 4 electors, who pledge to vote for their candidate their running mate. Whoever wins the majority of votes in the state is awarded just 2 of the electoral votes. The other 2 electoral votes are based upon the congressional district results. Their chosen electors then vote for president and vice president. Although electors are pledged to their candidate and running mate, they are not obligated to vote for them. [18] An elector who votes for someone other than their candidate is known as a faithless elector.

The electors of each state and the District of Columbia met on December 15, 2008, to cast their votes for president and vice president. The Electoral College itself never meets as one body. Instead the electors from each state and the District of Columbia met in their respective capitols.

The following were the members of the Electoral College from the state. Since Obama won both congressional districts, all 4 were pledged to Barack Obama and Joe Biden: [19]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Wisconsin</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Wisconsin took place on November 4, 2008, as part of the 2008 United States presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. State voters chose 10 electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote pitting Democratic U.S. Senator from Illinois Barack Obama, and his running mate U.S. Senator from Delaware Joe Biden, against Republican challenger and U.S. Senator from Arizona John McCain and his running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Vermont</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Vermont took place on November 4, 2008, concurrent with the federal election in all 50 states and D.C., which was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose three representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in New Jersey</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in New Jersey took place on November 4, 2008, and was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose 15 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Wyoming</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Wyoming took place on November 4, 2008, and was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose three representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Nebraska</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Nebraska took place on November 4, 2008, as part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose five electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president. However, Nebraska is one of the two states of the U.S. that, instead of giving all of its electors to the winner based on its statewide results, allocates just two electoral votes to the winner of the statewide popular vote. The other three electors vote based on their individual congressional district results.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Montana</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Montana took place on November 4, 2008, and was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose three representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Nevada</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Nevada was part of the 2008 United States presidential election, which took place on November 4, 2008, throughout all 50 states and D.C. Voters chose five representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Ohio</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Ohio took place on November 4, 2008, which was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose 20 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Connecticut</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Connecticut took place on November 4, 2008, and was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose seven representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Hawaii</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Hawaii took place on November 4, 2008, and was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose 4 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in New Mexico</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in New Mexico took place on November 4, 2008. Voters chose five representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Alabama</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Alabama took place on November 4, 2008, and was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose nine representatives, or electors, to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Alaska</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Alaska took place on November 4, 2008, as part of the nationwide presidential election held throughout all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Voters chose 3 electors, or representatives to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Arizona</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Arizona took place on November 4, 2008, and was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose 10 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Florida</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Florida took place on November 4, 2008, and was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose 27 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Louisiana</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Louisiana took place on November 4, 2008, was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose nine representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Kansas</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Kansas took place on November 4, 2008, and was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose six representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Kentucky</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Kentucky took place on November 4, 2008, and was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose eight representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Maryland</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Maryland took place on November 4, 2008, and was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose 10 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Tennessee</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Tennessee was held on November 4, 2008, and was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose 11 representatives, or electors, to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

References

  1. "D.C.'s Political Report: The complete source for campaign summaries". January 1, 2009. Archived from the original on January 1, 2009. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  2. "Presidential". May 5, 2015. Archived from the original on May 5, 2015. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  3. "Vote 2008 - The Takeaway - Track the Electoral College vote predictions". April 22, 2009. Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  4. "Electoral-vote.com: President, Senate, House Updated Daily". electoral-vote.com. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Based on Takeaway
  6. "POLITICO's 2008 Swing State Map - POLITICO.com". www.politico.com. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  7. "RealClearPolitics - Electoral Map". Archived from the original on June 5, 2008.
  8. "CQ Presidential Election Maps, 2008". CQ Politics. Archived from the original on June 14, 2009. Retrieved December 20, 2009.
  9. Nagourney, Adam; Zeleny, Jeff; Carter, Shan (November 4, 2008). "The Electoral Map: Key States". The New York Times. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
  10. "October 2008 CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs". CNN. October 31, 2008. Archived from the original on June 19, 2010. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
  11. "Winning The Electoral College". Fox News. April 27, 2010.
  12. "roadto270". hosted.ap.org. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  13. "Election 2008: Electoral College Update - Rasmussen Reports". www.rasmussenreports.com. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  14. Election 2008 Polls - Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections
  15. "Presidential Campaign Finance". Archived from the original on March 24, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2009.
  16. "Map: Campaign Ad Spending - Election Center 2008 from CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
  17. "Map: Campaign Candidate Visits - Election Center 2008 from CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
  18. "Electoral College". California Secretary of State. Archived from the original on October 30, 2008. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
  19. Central Maine news, sports & weather & breaking news around Waterville | The Morning Sentinel, Waterville, ME [ permanent dead link ]
  20. http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=219859&ac=%5B%5D
  21. "Jill Duson — The League of Young Voters". Archived from the original on September 5, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  22. "Maine Office of the State Treasurer: About Us: Former Treasurers". Archived from the original on December 5, 2007. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  23. "Blogger: User Profile: Tracie Reed". Archived from the original on August 6, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2009.