how we cleaned up our elections more about the maine
HOW WE CLEANED UP OUR ELECTIONS In 1996, Maine voters overwhelmingly approved the Maine Clean Election Act, a ground-breaking law for democracy that created the first-ever public funding system in the United States for candidates running for a state office in Maine. Elections were decided by the voters, not by wealthy special interests.
MORE ABOUT THE MAINE CLEAN ELECTION ACT Along with accepting private donations, candidates must demonstrate community support by collecting small donations from their constituents which are deposited into the Maine Clean Election Fund. Prior to 2011, the Act provided a matching funds component, meaning if a publicly funded candidate was being dramatically outspent by wealthy special interests, matching funds were provided from the Maine Clean Election Fund to ensure the candidate had adequate resources to compete against big money.
WHY WE NEED TO REFORM CLEAN ELECTIONS A U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2011 eliminated the matching fund component, dramatically weakening Maine’s Clean Election Law and making it easier for ultra-wealthy special interests to influence the outcome of campaigns and drown out the voice of Mainers. The original purpose of the Maine Clean Election Act -- fairness, accountability and transparency in elections, along with Mainers’ free speech -- was compromised. While we can’t go back in time and change things to the way they used to be, we have an unprecedented chance in November to take back control of our elections by strengthening the Maine Clean Election Act, and increasing transparency to expose shady special interest money in our elections.
MORE ABOUT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING: A VICTORY FOR SPECIAL INTERESTS The 2011 U.S. Supreme Court ruling against the matching funds component in the State of Arizona's Clean Election System, put Maine's law in jeopardy. On March 29, 2012, Governor LePage signed LD 1774 into law, repealing the matching funds component of the Maine Clean Election Act … and closing the door on a government of, by and for the people.
Since enactment of LD 1774, participation in Clean Elections has dropped to a record low. Everyday Mainers feel they can’t compete with "big money" and choose not to run for state office as a result.
WHAT DOES QUESTION 1 DO? Question 1 will be paid for by closing tax loopholes for corporations. The referendum will also: Increase fines and penalties for those who break election rules so we can keep our representatives accountable to us. Increase transparency and disclosure by requiring big money special interests trying to influence our elections to list their top three funders on all political ads. Encourages strict campaign finance and disclosure limits by strengthening Maine’s Clean Elections system so candidates in Maine can run for office without being beholden to wealthy special interests.
WHY WE NEED TO ACT We believe in government of, by and for the people -- not government bought and paid for by ultra-wealthy special interests. Mainers deserve politicians who are accountable to us. Voting Yes on Question 1 in November means keeping our representatives honest and giving back control of elections where it belongs -- to the voters.
MORE ABOUT THE MAINE CLEAN ELECTION ACT Along with accepting private donations, candidates must demonstrate community support by collecting small donations from their constituents which are deposited into the Maine Clean Election Fund. Prior to 2011, the Act provided a matching funds component, meaning if a publicly funded candidate was being dramatically outspent by wealthy special interests, matching funds were provided from the Maine Clean Election Fund to ensure the candidate had adequate resources to compete against big money.
WHY WE NEED TO REFORM CLEAN ELECTIONS A U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2011 eliminated the matching fund component, dramatically weakening Maine’s Clean Election Law and making it easier for ultra-wealthy special interests to influence the outcome of campaigns and drown out the voice of Mainers. The original purpose of the Maine Clean Election Act -- fairness, accountability and transparency in elections, along with Mainers’ free speech -- was compromised. While we can’t go back in time and change things to the way they used to be, we have an unprecedented chance in November to take back control of our elections by strengthening the Maine Clean Election Act, and increasing transparency to expose shady special interest money in our elections.
MORE ABOUT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING: A VICTORY FOR SPECIAL INTERESTS The 2011 U.S. Supreme Court ruling against the matching funds component in the State of Arizona's Clean Election System, put Maine's law in jeopardy. On March 29, 2012, Governor LePage signed LD 1774 into law, repealing the matching funds component of the Maine Clean Election Act … and closing the door on a government of, by and for the people.
Since enactment of LD 1774, participation in Clean Elections has dropped to a record low. Everyday Mainers feel they can’t compete with "big money" and choose not to run for state office as a result.
WHAT DOES QUESTION 1 DO? Question 1 will be paid for by closing tax loopholes for corporations. The referendum will also: Increase fines and penalties for those who break election rules so we can keep our representatives accountable to us. Increase transparency and disclosure by requiring big money special interests trying to influence our elections to list their top three funders on all political ads. Encourages strict campaign finance and disclosure limits by strengthening Maine’s Clean Elections system so candidates in Maine can run for office without being beholden to wealthy special interests.
WHY WE NEED TO ACT We believe in government of, by and for the people -- not government bought and paid for by ultra-wealthy special interests. Mainers deserve politicians who are accountable to us. Voting Yes on Question 1 in November means keeping our representatives honest and giving back control of elections where it belongs -- to the voters.
