Frequently Asked Questions

Comparing candidate stances shouldn’t be a guessing game. Yet, trying to understand where candidates truly stand on key policy issues can be frustrating. Campaign websites often highlight broad statements rather than clear positions, and the information scattered across news articles, social media, and debates can be overwhelming or even contradictory.

Pine Tree Key simplifies this process by giving voters a direct, side-by-side comparison of their own policy views with those of the candidates. Instead of sifting through speeches and press releases, users can quickly see which candidates align with their priorities—empowering them to make informed decisions at the ballot box.

At Pine Tree Key, we aim to help you unlock your Maine Policy Match by guiding you through a series of policy-related statements, also referred to as ‘survey.’

For the 2026 elections, you will be able to choose from two statement sets: one for the gubernatorial election and one for the U.S. Senate race. Within each set, you can evaluate individual statements and indicate whether you agree, disagree, are neutral, or prefer to skip a particular topic. Upon completing the statements, you will receive a summary of your responses and have the opportunity to weigh up to three statements that are most important to you. The results will show how closely your views align with those of the candidates. Additionally, you can compare your selections with each candidate's positions to see where your views match and where they differ.

This process is designed to provide a clear, unbiased understanding of where you stand relative to the candidates, helping you make an informed decision.

When evaluating the statements in each survey, you have the option to select one of four responses: Agree, Disagree, Neutral, or Skip.

• Agree: Select this option if you fully support the statement.
• Disagree: Select this if you do not support the statement.
• Neutral: If you can agree with the statement under certain conditions not reflected in the wording, choose "Neutral." This response indicates a middle ground or uncertainty.
• Skip: If you prefer not to comment on a statement, simply select "Skip to next question."

Please note that when you skip a statement, it will not be included in the final calculation of how your views align with the candidates. However, Neutral selections will be factored into the comparison, reflecting that your stance falls somewhere in between "Agree" and "Disagree." Just as you can select "Neutral," candidates also have the option to express their position in a similar manner.

We encourage thoughtful use of both "Neutral" and "Skip" responses, as an excessive number of neutral positions or skipped statements may impact the accuracy of how well your views match with the candidates' stances.

Pine Tree Key is dedicated to offering voters clear, unbiased insights into the views of candidates running for office. For now, the focus will be on gubernatorial and U.S. Senate candidates in the 2026 elections.

This targeted approach allows me to provide in-depth, relevant comparisons for these high-profile races, with plans to expand to other races in future election cycles. All candidates who officially file the necessary paperwork for the 2026 gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races will receive an invitation to share their stance on key policy issues. We look forward to expanding the tool’s services in future elections.

Since the candidate field has not yet been finalized, we don’t have answers to this yet. However, this section will be updated once the candidates are confirmed and the survey process begins. Stay tuned for more details as the election cycle progresses!

The theses/statements featured in Pine Tree Key are carefully crafted from a blend of data sources to ensure relevance and fairness. I began by analyzing surveys conducted across Maine to identify key political issues, including insights from the University of New Hampshire's “Pine Tree State Poll” and the "Strengthening Maine's Civic Life" report published in October 2024. This was paired with discussions and current events covered in news articles and across social media platforms like Facebook, X, and Reddit, reflecting the most pressing topics on Mainers' minds.

After identifying an initial set of policy statements, I took special care to refine and expand upon them, removing any bias or ambiguity to present clear, neutral options that can be universally understood. The goal is to provide voters with an unbiased, comprehensive view of the issues that matter most, ensuring that no political agenda influences the tool.

Pine Tree Key includes statements that reflect key policy issues with clear differences in candidate positions and that are relevant and understandable to a wide range of voters.

The selection of statements is based on several key criteria, such as the issue's relevance to the election, its clarity, the differences in candidate positions, and its impact on Maine voters. While we strive to include a broad spectrum of important topics, some issues may not be included if they don’t meet all of these criteria.

Each statement must address a topic of broad significance or one that directly affects many Mainers. The wording must be clear and accessible, ensuring that all voters can engage with the statement without requiring complex technical knowledge. Additionally, we focus on statements that reflect clear differences between candidates so that meaningful comparisons can be made. The issue should also be relevant to the election, influencing the decision-making process of voters or being under the jurisdiction of the elected office.

As this is the first iteration of Pine Tree Key, we are continuously working to improve the process of selecting and refining the topics for future elections. We value feedback as we build and expand this tool, with the aim of better representing the issues that matter most to Maine voters.

Pine Tree Key calculates the results by comparing your responses to those of each candidate. For each survey question you answer, the tool checks whether your response matches the candidate’s stance. If there’s a match, a score is added. The calculation takes into account weighted questions, which are given more importance in the final score.

Here's how it works:

• Match Score: For every statement where you select a response (other than "skip"), the tool checks if your answer aligns with the candidate’s answer. If it does, the match score increases. Weighted statements contribute more to the score (double the value of regular statement).
• Total Score: For each non-skipped statement, the total score is incremented by 1 point for regular statement and 2 points for weighted statements.
• Match Percentage: Once all statements are processed, the tool calculates your match percentage with each candidate by dividing the match score by the total score and multiplying by 100.

This approach provides a clear and straightforward comparison between your views and those of the candidates. As Pine Tree Key evolves, I may explore new methods of calculating results to further improve accuracy and reflect the changing needs of voters.

It’s possible to see a high match with a candidate you didn’t expect because Pine Tree Key calculates your match based on specific policy stances, and sometimes, a candidate may align with your views on particular issues even if you don’t agree with them on everything. The match score is determined by comparing your responses to the candidates’ positions on various topics. If you and a candidate agree on several important issues (especially those that are weighted), you may find that your match percentage is higher than expected.

Keep in mind that the match reflects only the questions and stances that were included in the survey, and every voter’s priorities may be different. A high match with a candidate doesn’t mean you agree with them on all issues—it simply means that, based on the responses you selected, there is a strong alignment on the topics covered in Pine Tree Key.

To better understand where your views align or differ with a candidate, you can use the candidate comparison feature. This allows you to see a detailed side-by-side comparison of your answers and the candidates’ responses for each statement. This comparison helps clarify which issues contribute to the match, giving you a more complete picture of where you and the candidate stand on each topic.

A high match with a candidate in Pine Tree Key means that your views align on many of the policy issues covered in the survey, but it is not a voting recommendation. Your decision should consider multiple factors, including a candidate’s broader platform, past actions, leadership approach, and stance on issues that may not be included in the survey.

To better understand where candidates stand, we encourage you to explore the candidate comparison tool, which provides a detailed breakdown of how each candidate responded to the statements. Sometimes, candidates may agree on a policy issue but for different reasons—taking a closer look at their reasoning can help you make a more informed decision.

Additionally, not all important topics may be covered in Pine Tree Key. If there are issues that matter deeply to you but weren’t included, consider researching candidate websites, campaign materials, debates, and interviews to learn more.

Finally, discussing your results with others—whether friends, family, or colleagues—can help you gain different perspectives and think more critically about your decision. Pine Tree Key is just one tool to help you navigate the election; your vote should ultimately reflect your values, priorities, and careful consideration of all available information.

Not necessarily. A high match score means that you and the candidate share similar positions on many of the policy statements included in Pine Tree Key. However, matching percentages alone don’t capture the full picture. Candidates may have different priorities, reasoning, or approaches to implementing policies, even if they agree on certain issues.

To better understand the differences between candidates, we recommend using the candidate comparison tool, where you can review their specific responses side by side. This allows you to see not only where you align but also where their views diverge. Additionally, it’s helpful to look into each candidate’s campaign priorities, leadership style, past actions, and broader platform beyond what’s covered in Pine Tree Key.

A high match score is a great starting point, but researching beyond the survey will give you a more complete picture of each candidate.

Pine Tree Key respects your privacy. While basic information such as browser details and general usage data may be collected by our website host (as is standard with most websites), your personal input, including survey responses, is only stored locally on your device. This means that we do not store your responses on our servers. Once you start a new survey or session, any previously stored data will be cleared from your local storage. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring a seamless, secure experience.

Pine Tree Key is an independent project created and managed by a single individual with a passion for helping Maine voters make informed decisions. While this tool is currently a solo effort, it is built with careful research, data analysis, and a commitment to neutrality. As Pine Tree Key evolves, there may be opportunities for collaboration and expansion to improve its reach and functionality.

If you have feedback or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you—your input helps shape the future of Pine Tree Key!

Pine Tree Key is an independent project designed to help Maine voters make informed decisions. If you’d like to support its development, I truly appreciate it! Since Pine Tree Key is not currently a nonprofit or business entity, voluntary contributions help cover costs such as website hosting, future improvements, and accessibility features.

I use Buy Me a Coffee to accept support, which also helps sustain my blog. If you'd like your contribution to go specifically toward Pine Tree Key, feel free to leave a note when making your donation. Otherwise, any support will be used to maintain both my blog and Pine Tree Key, allowing me to continue providing independent content and voter resources.

Please note that all contributions are voluntary and do not influence the neutrality, content, or candidate responses within Pine Tree Key. Pine Tree Key does not engage in electioneering, direct advocacy, or endorsements for any candidate or political party. Any funding sources or affiliations will be transparently disclosed.

Your contributions—whether financial, through feedback, or by sharing Pine Tree Key—help ensure this resource remains available and continues to grow. Thank you!