DEMOCRATS FIGHT FOR ELECTION LAW TRANSPARENCY

Senate Republicans defeat measure that calls for disclosure of political advertising sponsors

AUGUSTA—Democrats in the Maine Senate fought today for a measure that would have increased transparency in political campaign advertising. The measure was defeated in a party-line vote of 19 – 16.

“Voting against this measure turns a blind eye to the outside groups refusing to play by the rules,” said Assistant Democratic Leader Justin Alfond of Portland. “We talk about the integrity of the voting booth, yet Republicans are giving a free pass to those looking to influence our elections.”

LD 1262, “An Act to Increase Penalties for Certain Violations of the Campaign Reports and Financing Laws”, sought to increase penalties for a political action committee or party committee that fails to comply with an existing campaign law provision that stipulates timely disclosure of advertising sponsorship.

“Our campaign finance laws need to include an effective deterrent for breaking the law,” said Senator John Patrick of Oxford who also serves on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee. “This measure could have held the well-funded players attempting to influence elections accountable to the voters of Maine. Today, the Republican-majority chose to look the other way.”

During the floor debate, Senator Phil Bartlett of Gorham reflected on the 2010 election cycle, “We saw money flowing in to this state flagrantly disregarding the rules. The current fines are so ridiculously low that it’s simply part of the cost of doing business. Ramping up the penalties would give the law some teeth. It is not too much to ask the people who are attempting to influence Maine elections to follow Maine law.”

The law would have assessed a fine up to $100,000 for reporting violations.

The measure will go to the House for consideration later this week.