Maine students back Pingree for governor, Jackson for US Senate in mock election

Maine students, if able to vote, would send Democrat Hannah Pingree to the Blaine House, and would elect Troy Jackson, Chellie Pingree and Paul LePage to Congress, according to results from the mock election organized by the Secretary of State’s Office. 

More than 12,000 students cast ballots Tuesday for governor, U.S senator and members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Each of the candidates created campaign-style videos that were provided to 115 participating schools across the state. 

Hannah Pingree won the gubernatorial race with 41.8%, compared with 30.4% for Republican Bobby Charles and 24.4% for independent Rick Bennett. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, also a Democrat, won the 1st Congressional District with 57.5% over Republican Ron Russell; while the former governor, LePage, took the 2nd District with 52% of the votes over Democratic challenger Matt Dunlap. 

Jackson, a Democrat, eked out a win in the Senate race against incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins with 50.8% of the student vote. More than 4% of students, however, wrote in another candidate in that race.

In a statement announcing the totals, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows hailed the mock election as “an engaging way for students across the state to learn about elections and have their voices heard even before they can cast a real ballot.”

Bellows, who travelled to Maranacook Community High School in Readfield to kick off Tuesday’s voting, noted that practicing voting before students turn 18 can help them feel prepared. In Maine, 16- and 17-year-olds can preregister to vote and those who will be 18 by Election Day may cast a ballot. New voters who are not yet registered can do so at the polls on Nov. 3.

More information about the candidates and how to register and vote can be found at Maine Morning Star’s 2026 Voter Guide.