The Maine Clean Elections fund has been a local success story since 1996, providing funds for local candidates to run, and keeping the playing field level. It has been a popular program, with more than 65 percent supporting the fund. At its height, more than 85 percent of legislators used the fund, making it possible for candidates without independent means to run.

Essentially, the clean elections fund provided funding for those who voluntarily participated in it, and if a traditional candidate spent more, the “clean” candidate would get matching funds. But a couple of recent court decisions changed the game … the Supreme Court overturned the triggered matching funds part of Arizona’s Clean Election system, modeled on Maine’s. That decision, McComish v Bennett, affected several states, including Maine. And then, the Citizens United decision had the effect of increasing the amount of special interest money in local elections.

Maine tried to establish a source of funding that would increase supplemental funds to candidates, but the Legislature was unable to pass it. The next year, the Legislature advanced supplemental funding, but the budget did not include financing for it.

At the polls on November 4, however, a group called Maine Citzens for Clean Elections will be circulating petitions to restore the program. The group needs signatures to get a citizen initiative on the June ballot next year. What the initiative will do is create an optional system of supplemental funding that was struck down by the court. Candidates will be able to qualify for more funding by collecting additional $5 qualifying contributions. The bill would also require the Legislature to fund the program by closing one or more corporate tax loopholes, generating $3 million or more in revenue annually.

The bill would require mandatory disclaimers in political advertising, prominently naming the entity sponsoring the ad and the top three funders of the ad.

The bill would further close an additional loophole, requiring a reporting system for raising and spending money to fund the governor’s transition team.

And finally, it would increase the fines and penalties for campaign finance violations, including enhanced penalties for those occurring close to election day. Right now, many campaign managers consider these ethics fines to be the cost of doing business during the election cycle.

MCCE needs 70,000 signatures to get on the ballot, and the majority of the signatures are expected to be gathered at polling places in November.

We believe that Maine’s Clean Election law has made Maine legislators more accountable to the public, and less accountable to special interests. However, it must be a functional system, with a funding mechanism that works for clean elections candidates.

Short of a constitutional amendment, overturning Citizens United and McComish v. Bennett, this solution seems like the best way to save what has been a successful campaign finance law in Maine. While we would welcome such an amendment, in the meantime, Maine needs help now to save its clean elections law.

It’s in everyone’s best interest to keep our legislators focused on the people’s will, rather than the will of special interests and large businesses.

Let’s help MCCE get the 70,000 signatures they need to get on the ballot. Let’s save Maine’s first in the nation clean elections system. Please sign the clean elections petition at your local polling place on November 4. And if you have time, contact MCCE and offer an hour or two at a local polling place to solicit signatures. They can be reached at 831-6444.