On the other hand, this does mean that more than half the people who showed up and voted wanted the democrat more than the republican.
It is hard to argue that the choice of the majority is invalid, just because it isn’t how we normally do things.
The problem was that the republicans had no arch-conservative on the ballot to draw another 2000 voters who, once they bothered to show up, would pick the republican second.
That is what you need to do for 2020. Instead of fighting the system, use the system. Heck, run 10 good conservative candidates. IF each one just manages to get 100 of their friends and family to vote for them rather than stay home, that’s another 1000 votes in the republican side.
It was 46% for the Republican incumbent, Bruce Poliquin, and 46% for the challenger, state representative (Maine House) Jared Golden on election night. Bruce Poliquin received 2,000 more votes on election night, but fell short of the 50.1% threshold necessary to avoid a second round.
The two minor candidates, Tiffany Bond and William Hoar together received 8% of the vote, combined.
A substantial number of Tiffany Bond’s voters picked democrat Jared Golden as their second choice, giving Jared Golden 50.3% in the second round.
“It is hard to argue that the choice of the majority is invalid...”
The choice of the majority on election night was the GOP incumbent Bruce Poliquin. Hence the legal fight launched by Congressman Poliquin.
The outcome of the litigation will determine whether Bruce Poliquin retains his seat in Congress or whether Jared Golden becomes the congressman-elect.