Maine Democrats plan convention to replace scandal-hit Platner – US politics live

The Maine department of the secretary of state has said that as of Thursday morning, “no official withdrawal notice has yet been received” from Graham Platner .

“As of now, no official withdrawal notice has yet been received from Mr. Platner,” Jana Spaulding, Maine’s deputy secretary of state for communications, said in a statement to the Guardian. “A public declaration is not an official withdrawal, and a candidate must formally withdraw to the Elections office in writing, including signature.”

Spaulding added that the notice may be received by email, such as a scanned letter attached as a PDF, but must include a signature.

In order for Democrats to finalize an alternative Senate nominee in Maine, Platner needs to officially withdraw from the race by 13 July at 5pm ET, according to state law. This would then grant Democrats a two-week window, until 5pm ET on 27 July, to pick a replacement.