Final answer:
Maine's electoral votes can be split because it uses the congressional district method for distributing electoral votes, where two votes are given to the state winner and one for each congressional district winner.
Step-by-step explanation:
Maine's electoral votes are split between candidates because the state uses a special methodology, known as the congressional district method, to distribute electoral votes in the Presidential elections. Unlike most states, which operate on a winner-takes-all system where the candidate with the majority wins all the electoral votes of the state, Maine awards two electoral votes to the candidate who receives the most votes statewide and then gives one electoral vote to the winner of each congressional district. This method allows the state to reflect the preferences of voters in individual districts, rather than just the statewide majority, potentially splitting Maine's electoral votes between different candidates.
For example, in the 2020 Presidential election, though Democrat Joe Biden won the state overall and received three of Maine's electoral votes, Republican Donald Trump won one congressional district, thereby earning one electoral vote from Maine. This approach gives a more nuanced representation of the voters' preferences and can impact the overall strategy of presidential campaigns, as it provides an incentive to campaign for votes even in states where candidates may not win the statewide vote.