The Volvo Line, illustrated

That phrase for Maine’s infected voter pool has been updated to the “Subaru Line”, though I’d suggest “Prius”. Regardless, you can see it outlined here. One note from the epicenter of the pandemic, which says it all: Portland — Gideon, 28,071, Collins, 8,656.

Collins is ahead right now 51% to 43%, and with the southern towns all accounted for, she’ll probably hold onto that lead and avoid the dreaded “ranked-vote” process which would have awarded Gideon the seat by lumping into her vote total those of the still-further-left candidates.

But that’s this time. Trump lost the state (Portland: Biden, 33,784; Trump, 6,438), both Republican congressional candidates lost, and Collins was returned to office only because many Mainers remember her long service to the state. She’ll be gone by the next election cycle, and so will those voters.