Election season is upon us, and this year, Maine's elections chief, Shenna Bellows, is capturing significant public attention. Once sparring with the former President Donald Trump over ballot access, she now finds herself at the forefront of Maine's ranked-choice voting system. On November 12, 2024, Bellows engaged viewers as she narrated the live tabulation of congressional ballots, showcasing the state's unique voting method. This livestream not only made complex voting procedures accessible to the public, but it also aimed to instill faith and transparency within the electoral process.
At the heart of this election is the contest between Democratic Representative Jared Golden and Republican challenger Austin Theriault, both vying for the U.S. House seat. This election is especially noteworthy, as both parties grapple with balancing power within Congress. Although the Associated Press did not declare a winner by press time, the tension remains palpable. Throughout the livestream, Bellows walked viewers through the process, explaining each step, including the chain of custody of ballots, which left nothing to chance.
Bellows detailed how election workers secured ballots transported to “undisclosed locations,” monitored continuously by law enforcement and security cameras, guaranteeing the integrity of every vote. The comparative spectacle of this process hearkens back to previous election contentions, like the infamous hanging chads incident during Florida's 2000 election or the controversies surrounding ballots from the 2020 election, where former President Trump raised allegations of irregularities.
Facing skepticism, Bellows emphasized the importance of transparency. "It’s important for the public to see this for themselves so they can have faith in the elections' integrity," she remarked, reiteratively underscoring the significance of honest election administration.
The ranked-choice voting system itself is an innovation worth noting. Rather than simply selecting one candidate, voters can rank their preferences. Should no candidate receive more than 50 percent of the first-choice votes, the candidate with the least amount of first choices is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed to other candidates based on the voters' second choices. This process continues until one candidate secures a clear majority. It’s unique, it’s engaging for viewers, and frankly, it reflects efforts to modernize the electoral process.
Another twist this election is the presence of Diana Merenda, a retiree who formally declared her write-in candidacy to express her opposition to the war in Gaza. While her impact remained modest, she still managed to collect around 400 votes—a reminder of the diverse and sometimes unexpected ways constituents express their opinions.
A total of more than 12,000 ballots were noted to have no first-choice votes and would require checking for second choices before being discarded. Bellows detailed the procedures for checking these ballots thoroughly, emphasizing the commitment to accuracy and fairness throughout this election process.
The stakes are especially high as the balance of power shifts within the U.S. House of Representatives. Every vote is consequential, and the more engaged voters are, the stronger the foundation of democracy becomes. Interestingly, the ranked-choice method is drawing attention not only for its modern approach but also for its potential to minimize election-related disputes.
Historically, Maine has been at the forefront of electoral reform. Its introduction of ranked-choice voting back in 2016 was a landmark shift aimed at eliminating situations where candidates win offices without majority support—a common scenario across various electoral systems. The potential for ranked-choice voting to diminish divisive politics and encourage more civil campaigning is becoming increasingly popular among reform advocates.
Despite facing criticism—from Trump and other election deniers—Bellows remains dedicated to ensuring transparency and American trust in electoral processes. Her recounting of the tabulation process during the livestream is more than just informative; it fosters direct engagement with the electorate, embodying the essence of democratic practices. Following her narrative, viewers were encouraged to stay connected and tuned to the proceedings as their vote was counted.
Looking at the 2024 election, experienced analysts note this lively, transparent recount paired with the ranked-choice voting format may give Maine’s election results both greater credibility and engagement from voters. While some polls suggest rising skepticism around elections nationwide, Maine appears determined to stand as a model of electoral integrity and progress—a commitment underscored by Bellows’ actions and the very design of their voting system.
With the 2024 elections still bearing their complexity, the world looks on as Maine sets the stage and raises the bar for electoral transparency, nurturing faith among its constituents and perhaps serving as lessons learned for future elections across the country.
It’s crunch time for American democracy. Every vote counts, and with innovative systems like ranked-choice voting, every choice matters—a reality Bellows is consciously promoting through her unique play-by-play approach to election transparency.
Only time will tell if this engagement will win back the trust of the voting public, but one thing is clear: Maine is not just counting votes; it’s actively inviting voters to be part of the process, seizing the opportunity to reshape how elections may be perceived—and participated in—in the future.
