Gov. Paul LePage Writes 'Stolen Election' As He Signs Off On Maine's First Ranked Choice Vote

BANGOR, Maine (AP) — Maine's outgoing Republican governor is signing off on the results of a disputed congressional contest, but not before getting the last word with a handwritten note calling it a "stolen election."

A federal appeals court filing Friday showed all parties agreed to the dismissal of Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin's lawsuit over the November election without any award of legal fees. The filing makes formal Poliquin's Christmas Eve announcement he'd abandon the suit.

Gov. Paul LePage tweeted Friday he signed off on the results despite his dislike of the new ranked voting method. The election marked the first use of the system in a congressional race. Democrat Jared Golden won the election.

Golden received fewer votes than Poliquin in the first vote-counting round, but pulled ahead when second-choice ballots were later counted.

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