AUGUSTA — Six write-in candidates met Tuesday’s deadline to qualify for the U.S. Senate race in November, triggering the use of ranked choice voting.

That means that if neither Republican Sen. Susan Collins nor former Democratic Maine Senate President Troy Jackson get over 50% on election night, the tallies will go to a ranked choice count.

Tuesday evening, Bellows’ office released the names of those running as write in candidates: Brent Andrews of York, unaffiliated; Sigrid Ann Olson of Cape Elizabeth, Democrat; Gina Oswald of Strong, independent; Joseph Steinberger of Rockland, Faith in Humanity; Michael Turcotte of Burnham, unenrolled and Ashley Webb of Farmington, Democratic.

The presence of so many write in candidates adds a twist to an already consequential decision for voters who will decide who represents Maine for the next six years in the U.S. Senate. 

Democrats consider Maine one of the top potential seats to pick up in their quest for control of the Senate. Republicans are firmly behind Collins, and polls show a tight race.

But because it is a federal race, state law allows voters on Nov. 3 to rank their candidates, including the choice to write in someone who is an officially declared contestant, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said Tuesday.

Notably, Graham Platner, the Democrat who won the June primary with 72% of the vote, but dropped out after allegations of sexual abuse, was not among them.

Platner has denied the abuse allegations and in recent weeks, his supporters have encouraged him to run as a write in. Since he did not file the paperwork, votes cast for him will be considered blank, Bellows said. 

“Someone who is not a declared write in, their votes are never counted,” she said.

If that voter then chooses Collins or Jackson as their second choice, their vote will then be counted.

If the election goes to a ranked choice count, it will take several days to get final results.

In June, the Secretary of State’s Office conducted a ranked choice count in the Democratic and Republican primaries for governor, a process that took more than a week after the election. 

And in November 2024, the race between Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden and state Rep. Austin Theriault went to ranked choice because neither got over 50% on election night and there was a write in candidate.

In statements Tuesday night, write-in candidates Turcotte and Webb both indicated they are running because they believe the country can still take on major challenges.

“Washington produces conflict and instability while families are dealing with healthcare costs, housing, food prices, Social Security, immigration, and basic economic security,” Turcotte said. “But let us remember that our country is capable of doing great things. And the problems we face are large enough that small adjustments will not be enough.”

Webb, who participated in one televised debate for the Democratic nomination before dropping out, said she wants to fight “for the people of Maine and the underprivileged.” 

“My message to the people who tried to run me off this race is simple: you don’t get to decide who the voters hear from,” she wrote.