Rebecca Pollard

Read the court's opinion here 

Herb Hoffman has pledged to continue to fight, but for the moment he’s off the ballot.

The state’s Supreme Court sided with the Maine Democratic Party, who challenged the independent seeking a U.S. Senate seat on the grounds that three signature sheets on his nominating petition were invalid.

The party brought the complaint first to the Maine Secretary of State’s Office, and then the Maine Superior Court, both of which ruled against them.

In a ruling which was handed down at 4 p.m. Monday, the Supreme Court overturned the Superior Court’s ruling.

The opinion read: “We conclude that the plain language of the statute requires that each of the three petitions be stricken in their entirety, and, thus, we must vacate the judgment of the Superior Court affirming the Secretary's determination that the three petitions were valid.”

John McCain landed in Portland last night for his visit today. Channel 8 has video of his arrival.

McCain will attend several fundraisers in Kennebunkport, including a $2,300 per ticket event at the Bush compound.

Then he will visit the Maine Military Museum for a public event at 2:30 p.m. Doors open at 12:30.

Maine Democrats have already responded to McCain’s visit.

The Maine Democratic Party is continuing its crusade to remove independent candidate Herb Hoffman from the ballot in the race for the U.S. Senate.

Party officials filed an appeal Monday with the state Superior Court for a reversal of a recent decision by the Secretary of State that would allow Hoffman to remain on the ballot.

Hoffman is running against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom Allen.