Original sentence: As neither candidate won a majority, Maine's newly implemented ranked-choice voting system called for the second preferences of the two independent candidates to be redistributed to either Poliquin or Golden, in accordance with those voters' second choice on the ballot.On election night, Golden trailed two-term incumbent Republican Bruce Poliquin by 2,000 votes.Poliquin opposed the use of ranked-choice voting in the election and claimed to be the winner due to his first-round lead
Edited sentence: ")called for the second preferences of the two independent candidates to be redistributed to either Poliquin or Golden, in accordance with those voters' second choice on the ballot.Although Poliquin won the initial relative majority vote , Maine's newly implemented ranked-choice voting system (which was instituted by Veto Referendum only after the Maine Legislatures attempt to amend the Constitution failed and despite in a unanimous opinion, the Supreme Judicial Court advised the state legislature that ranked-choice voting violates the Maine Constitution on May 23, 2017.On election night, Golden was defeated by two-term incumbent Republican Bruce Poliquin by coming up short by 1,910 votes.Poliquin opposed the use of ranked-choice voting in the election and claimed to be the winner due to his first-round win.Responding to the Senate's question, the court said, "Yes, the Ranked-Choice Voting Act conflicts with the Maine Constitution