SENATE STRENGTHENS CLEAN ELECTIONS SYSTEM

Measure allows additional funding, limits funding to legislative races

AUGUSTA–Today, in a bipartisan 26-9 vote, the Senate passed a bill to strengthen the Maine Clean Elections system, after it was weakened by the courts and underfunded by the previous legislature.

“Clean Elections makes it possible for all Mainers to run for the Legislature, not just those who can afford it,” said Senator John Tuttle of Sanford, the chair of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee and a cosponsor of the bill. “It is a key component of our open, Democratic process and I am pleased my colleagues joined me in strengthening our Clean Elections system.”

The measure doubles the current seed money cap for participating Senate and House candidates and removes the seed money requirement for gubernatorial candidates. It also replaces the matching funds system with a system of optional supplemental funding for participants who collect additional qualifying contributions.

The matching funds component of the Maine Clean Elections system was eliminated after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the matching funds component of Arizona’s public campaign finance law unconstitutional in a controversial 2011 decision.

“Clean elections allows people to run for office and not be beholden to anyone’s special interests,” said Senator Colleen Lachowicz of Waterville. “In a citizen’s legislature, it’s important that people from all walks of life are represented.”

Senator Geoff Gratwick of Bangor added, “Clean Elections are imperative for the integrity of our institutions. The money spent for this program is small compared to the damage done if we don’t support this program.”

LD 1309, “An Act to Strengthen the Maine Clean Elections Act,” faces more votes in the Senate and the House.