The Portland Daily Sun has this article, explaining that Maine’s primary petition ballot access requirements are uniquely burdensome, as applied to small ballot-qualified parties. Generally, the mainstream press in Maine had not previously publicized this information. Most people who live in Maine, even if they are interested in politics, are not aware of the problem. The Daily Sun is both a print publication and an on-line publication, with a paper edition five days a week. Thanks to Thomas MacMillan for the link.
Ballot Access News
Edited By Richard Winger
Under a Top 2 Open Primary all candidates meet the same requirements.
The problem that is encountered in Maine is that it is illegal for most all voters to sign a Green petition or vote for a Green candidate in the primary.
If Mr.Platt met a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Independent voter who at least seemed interested in his party or its platform; instead of engaging in a bit of discussion, even it didn’t secure a signature, he has to be thinking that the voter is wasting his time – and yet at the general election he must try to convince voters like this to vote for him.
Otherwise, Maine could simply count the number of registrants in each district, and let the party with the most voters in that area appoint the representative.