Mary Rooke Commentary and Analysis Writer July 09, 2026 3:48 PM ET Democrats have never been shy about ignoring the will of their voters, but their decision to crown a candidate in Maine isn’t likely to sit well. Democratic nomination processes have repeatedly allowed party insiders and formal rules to sidestep choices made by primary voters. Limiting input from rank-and-file Democratic voters who participated in elections should be considered an unforgivable sin, but to do it twice in two years creates a pattern that voters shouldn’t ignore.