Statement of Mission and Values
Adopted November 12, 2008
Maine Citizens for Clean Elections (MCCE) is a nonpartisan coalition of groups and individuals that works in the public interest to advocate for, increase public support for, defend and improve the Maine Clean Election Act and related campaign finance law.
MCCE believes that Maine’s first-in-the-nation public funding system is a model for the rest of the country and for federal elections. We believe that the historic role of our coalition as an independent voice, free of any partisan agenda, is as necessary today as it was during the passage and implementation of the law.
MCCE believes that strong campaign finance laws should work to reduce the influence of big money in government, eliminate corruption and the appearance of corruption, increase public access to information, and allow candidates to compete more equitably for public office. We hold that sound reform creates trust, encourages participation in our electoral system, and enhances the accountability of elected officials to their constituents.
MCCE works for reform that is
- INCLUSIVE – Campaign finance laws should encourage citizens from all walks of life to run for office and to participate in the electoral process at all levels.
- FAIR – Rules should not advantage or disadvantage any particular political party or type of candidate.
- JUST – Enforcement should ensure that each and every candidate is held to the same standard of compliance.
- CONSISTENT WITH CONSTITUTIONAL VALUES – The law and its interpretation must uphold and advance core American values of free speech and association, and the promise of equal protection.
- FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE – Public money should be carefully spent on candidates and other programs that have a clear benefit to the citizens of Maine.
- WORKABLE – Campaign finance laws must both fulfill the lofty goals of reform and be practicable in real life.
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