Maine Students Choose Pingree and Jackson in Mock Election

Maine's Secretary of State has released the results of a student mock election.

Maine Students from 100+ Schools Statewide Participated in a Mock Election

On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, students from 115 Maine schools statewide participated in a mock election, voting for Governor, U.S. Senator, and representatives to Congress.

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Maine's Secretary of State Announces the Winners of the Student Mock Election 2026

The winners of the mock election were revealed Wednesday morning on the Secretary of State's website:

Governor

Rick Bennett    Independent         2956 votes   24.4%

Robert Charles  Republican         3680 votes    30.4%

Hannah Pingree Democrat           5066 votes    41.8% (winner)

Write-in                                            409 votes    3.4%

U.S. Senator

Susan Collins  Republican             5334 votes   45.1%

Troy Jackson   Democrat               6009 votes    50.8% (winner)

Write-in                                            483 votes      4.1%

Congressional District 1

Chellie Pingree  Democrat             3731 votes    57.5% (winner)

Ronald Russell  Republican           2577 votes    39.5%

Write-in                                             185 votes      2.9%

Congressional District 2

Matthew Dunlap  Democrat            2288 votes      43.2%

Paul LePage       Republican          2751 votes       52.0% (winner)

Write-in                                              256 votes        4.8%

Maine's Secretary of State Says Mock Elections Build Healthy Voting Habits

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows says the mock election gives students a voice before they're old enough to vote.

We always say that voting is not a test, but we know that practicing voting before students turn 18 can help them feel prepared to participate in our democracy when the day comes.

In Maine, 16- and 17-year-olds can pre-register to vote.

Once they're pre-registered, they can also serve as poll workers.