Maine voters elected their first female governor and Democrats strengthened their majority in the state's House of Representatives, just as they took control of the U.S. House in a midterm election that generated high voter turnout. But while Democrats failed to win the U.S. Senate, they increased their majority in the Maine Senate. Democrats will now control both the executive and legislative branches of government in the state, a reverse of the 2010 election in which Republicans and Paul LePage had ousted the Democrats.
     While the 2nd Congressional District race will now use ranked-choice voting to decide the winner in the tight contest between Republican incumbent Bruce Poliquin and Democratic challenger Jared Golden, independent Angus King was easily reelected to the U.S. Senate.
Janet Mills also decisively won the gubernatorial race and has vowed to implement Medicaid expansion. Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY's List, states, "Janet Mills made history as the first woman to serve as a district attorney in New England, the first woman to serve as Maine's attorney general, and now she makes history as Maine's first woman governor."
     While the four bond issues on the statewide ballot all were approved, Question 1, a citizen initiative for home-based care, was turned down. Ben Gilman of the Maine State Chamber and campaign manager of the No on Question 1 campaign, commented, "Maine voters said no to higher taxes on families and businesses, and yes to protecting our senior and disabled citizens." Question 1 would have added a 3.8% tax increase on higher-earning Mainers to create a new $310 million program to fund home care. Jess Maurer, executive director of the Maine Council on Aging, which supported Question 1, stated, "Question 1 helped us start a conversation about the supports we need as we age that will be carried into the halls of the State House and Blaine House over the next few years. Our recently issued Maine Blueprint for Action on Healthy Aging will offer a useful framework for that conversation."

Statewide and county results
     The following results are unofficial and based on tallies before all precincts had reported.
     In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent independent Angus King garnered 54.5% of the statewide vote to 35% for Republican Eric Brakey and 10.6% for Democratic candidate Zak Ringelstein. Washington County voters backed King but by less of a margin. King received 47% of the vote in the county to 44.8% for Brakey and 8% for Ringelstein.
     The 2nd Congressional District seat was headed to be decided by ranked-choice voting, as Republican incumbent Bruce Poliquin was running neck and neck with Democrat Jared Golden. Poliquin had 46.1% of the statewide vote and Golden had 45.8%. Independents Tiffany Bond and William Hoar had 5.7% and 2.4%, respectively. Poliquin did better in Washington County, where he received 50% of the vote to 42.3% for Golden.
     In the gubernatorial race, Democrat Janet Mills won handily, receiving 51.3% of the statewide vote to 42.7% for Republican Shawn Moody and 5.9% for independent Teresea Hayes. However, Washington County voters went with Moody, who received 51.3% of the county vote to 42.6% for Mills. Hayes garnered 6.1% in the county.
     In Washington County races, Republican Marianne Moore of Calais was elected to replace Joyce Maker as state senator for Senate District 6, which includes all of the county. Moore received 61.9% of the vote to 38.1% for Democratic candidate Christina Therrien of Machias.
     In Maine House District 138, Democratic incumbent Robert Alley of Beals easily retained his seat, garnering 56.5% of the vote to 43.5% for Republican candidate Kimberley Robinson of Addison.
     In House District 139, Republican incumbent Will Tuell of East Machias also easily kept his seat, receiving 75.3% of the vote. Democrat Lisa Hanscom of Roque Bluffs garnered 24.7%.
Also retaining her seat was Democratic incumbent Anne Perry of Calais in House District 140. She received 60.1% of the vote, with Republican Arthur Carter of Charlotte receiving 39.9%.
     In House District 141, Republican Kathy Javner of Chester will replace Republican Beth Turner of Burlington, who did not seek reelection. Javner received 72% of the vote, with Democratic candidate Donald Green of Berry Township receiving 28%.
     Republican Matthew Foster of Hancock, the incumbent district attorney for Prosecutorial District 7, easily defeated independent challenger Steven Juskewitch of Dedham, garnering 54.4% of the vote to 45.6% for Juskewitch.
     For the Washington County commissioner seat for District 3, incumbent Republican John Crowley of Addison defeated challenger Michael Hinerman of Machiasport by a margin of 70% to 30%.
     Washington County Sheriff Barry Curtis was reelected, as he was running unopposed.

Referendum results
     In referendum results, Question 1, the citizen initiative to provide home-based assistance to people with disabilities and senior citizens, was defeated statewide by a margin of 62.5% to 37.5%. The vote was closer in Washington County, with 59.1% opposed to 40.9% in favor.
     While all of the bond issues passed statewide, Washington County voters turned down the water quality and wastewater treatment bond and just narrowly approved the Maine universities bond.
     Maine voters approved Question 2, the bond for water quality and treatment, by a margin of 55% to 45%. In Washington County, the bond was turned down, with 53.7% against and 46.3% in favor.
     Question 3, the transportation infrastructure bond, was approved by 68% of the voters statewide, while Washington County supported by the measure with 64.6% of the voters in favor.
     Question 4, the bond for upgrades to Maine's public universities, was supported by 54.4% of the voters statewide. In Washington County, though, the measure was approved by only 50.3% of the voters, with 49.7% opposed. Andy Egan, head of campus at the University of Maine at Machias, expresses his appreciation for the voters' support, stating, "Funding from the bond will help us make the University of Maine at Machias an even better place to study, play and work as we do our best to serve our students and Downeast communities."
     Washington County voters, though, gave greater support for the bond for community college upgrades. Statewide the measure passed with 64.7% of the vote, and in the county residents supported the bond issue with 61.5% of the voters in favor.