The Maine Democratic Party is appealing to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court to overturn a decision that independent Herbert Hoffman should be listed on the U.S. Senate election ballot.

The party said today in a prepared statement that Monday's ruling by Superior Court Justice Donald Marden could lead to confusion and more legal challenges to candidates' petitions.

Hoffman, of Ogunquit, submitted more than the 4,000 signatures required by law in support of his candidacy to the Secretary of State's Office. But the Democratic party challenged the validity of some of the signatures and argued that a number of his petitions should be disallowed because they don't meet legal requirements.

The secretary of state rejected the party's arguments, and Marden ruled on appeal that the state acted reasonably.

Hoffman's opponents in the Nov. 4 election include incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins and U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, a Democrat.

Democrats have expressed concern that Hoffman could take votes away from Allen in what may be a close race.