AUGUSTA (AP) – Maine election officials are ruling that independent U.S. Senate candidate Herbert Hoffman of Ogunquit should get his name on the November ballot.

Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap rejected a challenge to petitions to get Hoffman on the ballot. The challenge came from Maine Democratic Chairman John Knutson.

Democrats are concerned that Hoffman could draw votes away from their party’s nominee for Senate, Congressman Tom Allen. The Republican candidate is incumbent Susan Collins.

After a hearing last week, officials determined Hoffman had collected 38 signatures more than the minimum 4,000 needed to for ballot listing.

Maine law allows for the petition challenger or candidate to appeal the secretary’s decision in Superior Court within five days. Maine Democratic officials say they’re reviewing their options and will decide in the coming days whether to appeal.