Sec. of State seeks public input on campaign finance reform ballot question

“Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to groups that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office?”

This is the Nov. 5 ballot question, as currently drafted, for a citizen initiative to limit contributions in Maine to independent political action committees, otherwise known as super PACs. From Tuesday until May 30, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is accepting public comment on the wording before finalizing the question. 

The initiative, backed by legal scholar Lawrence Lessig, first popped up around the November 2023 election and has a goal beyond simply reforming campaign finance laws in Maine. Ultimately, the intention of the campaign is to get the U.S. Supreme Court to rule that PACs should be regulated, as reported by Maine Morning Star in November.  

Curious about the campaign finance petition you saw at the polls? Here’s what we know.

As required of referendums by state law, “the Secretary of State shall write the question in a clear, concise and direct manner that describes the subject matter of the people’s veto or direct initiative as simply as is possible.” The public has 30 days to weigh in on how the ballot question is currently drafted before it is finalized.

The question first went before the Maine Legislature, with the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee unanimously recommending against its passage, sending it instead on a path to the voters. 

Whether for or against, those who spoke at a public hearing on the finance reform bill in March generally agreed that on face value, it is a valiant effort to get big money out of Maine politics. However, opponents argued that the way the proposal seeks to instigate nation-wide reform is both questionable and unconstitutional. 

If the legislation is eventually enacted in Maine, the expectation is that its legality will be challenged almost immediately, presenting a possible avenue to the nation’s highest court. As for how the U.S. Supreme Court would rule, nothing is guaranteed, but Lessig and other scholars believe there is a core flaw in the lower court decision that established super PACs 13 years ago. 

If you are interested in commenting on the the question’s wording, you can use the Secretary of State comment submission form, email [email protected] using subject line “Public Comment – Limit Contributions,” mail comments to “Attn: Public Comment, 148 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0148,” or drop off written comments to the Secretary of State’s Office at the Nash School Building, located at 103 Sewall St., 2nd floor, Augusta, Maine.