State Action
SIGN THE PETITION: SUPPORT CLEAN ELECTIONS!
Why our Clean Election Law Needs Updating
MCCE has been an active participant
in the process to revise the Maine Clean Election Act (MCEA) in the wake of the
recent U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Arizona
Free Enterprise Club v Bennett.
That ruling eliminated the Clean Election matching funds system in Arizona,
creating challenges for Maine's system as well. The Ethics Commission put
forth two options for updating the MCEA and a public hearing on those options
was held on October 18 in the Joint Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs.
MCCE strongly supports the Ethics Commission's Legislative Proposal #2, the "requalifying option." This plan replaces the old matching funds system with two optional rounds of "requalifying." Candidates would collect additional Qualifying Contributions from voters in their district, then would receive additional funds later in the campaign. It will allow candidates to "right-size" their campaigns, within limits. That will ensure viability for the widest range of candidates.
The alternative proposal would grant higher initial distributions but would not allow for additional funds. MCCE believes that system is too limited to have broad appeal, since candidates in highly contested races could be easily outspent. Additionally, it is not the best use of limited public dollars since many candidates would receive more funding than necessary.
The requalifying option builds on the same qualifying process that has been a central part of Clean Elections from the beginning. Voters and candidates are familiar with it. It complies fully with the new court precedent, yet it is true to the values that underlie Clean Elections. And, it will work.
Download Clean Elections Fact Sheet (PDF)
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Contact Your Legislator
To contact your local state elected officials and find out more about the legislature's work, visit the Maine State Legislature.
Check out MCCE's Testimony Archive additional testimony before the Joint Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs on proposals related to the Maine Clean Elections Act and other campaign finance law.
Send a Letter to the Editor
Learn how to send a letter to the editor of your paper about the success of Clean Elections. We have set up a page with links to editorial boards' e-mail addresses in Maine, as well as tips on writing a good letter to the editor. Please consider sending letters on a regular basis to editorial boards in support of Clean Elections!
