2023 Legislative Recap: Protecting Maine from Big Money in Politics & Elections

Our mission is to support legislation that addresses the damaging effect of money in politics and continues Maine’s legacy as a people-centered democracy. Too often money is used as leverage in our elections when the focus should always be the Maine voter. We work to protect the Maine Clean Elections Act (MCEA) and push for other campaign finance reform. 

How did we do this legislative session? The session ran from December 2022 to July 2023, lasting longer than anyone expected, and it's been a whirlwind. Good and bad "money in politics" bills were introduced in the Legislature but which ones crossed the finished line? Join our lunch & learn to find out and hear from the experts.

We'll recap our priority bills, including: 

1. Expanding clean elections to county races, including district attorney and sheriff races, will ensure these important officials in our justice system won’t be influenced by their donors.
2. Passing municipal disclosures. This would require anyone spending more than $5,000 in a local election to disclose that spending, like local referendum questions, to the Maine Ethics Commission. Big money shouldn't be able to influence direct democracy in small towns. 
3. Protect Maine Elections. Ensuring that the referendum that would ban foreign governments from influencing our elections.
4. Corporate Contribution Ban. LD 726 went into immediate effect to repeal our 2021 corporate contribution ban. Why the repeal? And what can we do in 2024? We'll need your help.