What the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices took up at its meetings since 2019: late-filing penalties and requests to waive them, complaints and requests to investigate, audits, and what it decided, as its meeting pages record them. A complaint is an allegation; the decision is the Commission's. Items naming someone on this site are also on their page.
Scott Girardin is a candidate for the Maine House of Representatives, District 92. To qualify for Maine Clean Election Act funding, he submitted qualifying contributions and supporting documentation to the Commission on April 22, 2024, the last day of the qualifying period. On May 1, 2024, Commission staff determined that he was not eligible to receive the funding because he did not submit proof that 30 contributors were registered to vote in House District 92. On May 3, 2024, Mr. Girardin appealed the staff determination to the Commission.
Decided: To rule that Mr. Girardin did not fulfill the requirements to become a clean election candidate. (vote 4-0)
Under 21-A M.R.S. § 1019-B, a person spending money on a communication close to an election that names or depicts a candidate may request a determination that the cost is not an independent expenditure. The Commission will consider a statutory amendment directing Commission staff to make the initial determination on these requests which may be appealed to the Commission.
Decided: To accept the proposed statute change as amended. Note - the final language will be available in the December meeting minutes. (vote 5-0)
The congressional campaign committee of Bruce Poliquin has requested a determination that the costs of a television advertisement are not independent expenditures in support of Paul LePage, who was a candidate for Governor. The ad contains brief footage of Bruce Poliquin and Paul LePage walking together, but otherwise does not promote Mr. LePage.
Decided: To find that the television advertisement was not an independent expenditure. (vote 5-0)
First Television Advertisement Radio Advertisement Additional Materials - Second Television Advertisement Second Television Advertisement The congressional campaign committee of Bruce Poliquin has requested a determination by the Commission that the costs of a television and radio advertisement are not independent expenditures. Both ads contain references to Paul LePage who is running for a third term as Governor, but do not refer to him as a candidate or expressly advocate for his election. The Poliquin Committee explains that its intention is to promote Mr. Poliquin, not any other candidate. Because these ads are being broadcast after Labor Day and refer to Mr. LePage, the Poliquin Committ…
Decided: That this advertisement is not determined to be an independent expenditure (vote 5-0)
On September 19, 2022, the Maine First Project non-profit corporation disseminated a mailer to South Portland residents discussing immigration concerns and requesting donations. The mailer mentions Governor Janet Mills, who is running for reelection. Because the mailings were sent after Labor Day and refer to Governor Mills, Maine First Project is seeking a determination from the Commission that the mailing costs are not independent expenditures under Maine Election Law.
Decided: That this advertisement is not determined to be an independent expenditure (vote 3-2)
In last few weeks before the June 14, 2022 primary elections, U.S. Term Limits sent 16 mailings to registered Republican voters in seven legislative districts in Maine. Each mailing discussed whether a specific legislative candidate supported congressional term limits. All the candidates were opposed in their Republican primary elections. The organization requested a determination by the Commission that the costs of the mailings were not independent expenditures, which the Commission declined at its June 22, 2022 meeting. In accordance with the Commission’s decision, U.S. Term Limits registered as a political action committee and filed five independent expenditure reports.
On June 3, 2022 and June 6, 2022, Brookfield White Pine Hydro (BWPH) began disseminating communications – a digital video advertisement and radio advertisement, respectively – featuring Governor Janet Mills. Because the communications were disseminated within the 28 days prior to the June 14th primary election, and Governor Mills is running for reelection, BWPH requests a determination from the Commission that its communications are not to be considered independent expenditures. BWPH submitted comments in early June to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection surrounding the issues in this communication.
Decided: A finding that the communications in this case are not an independent expenditure and that BHPH has successfully rebutted the presumption. (vote 5-0)
On May 24, 2022 and May 26, 2022, Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund (PPMAF) began disseminating communications – a digital video advertisement and radio advertisement, respectively – featuring Governor Janet Mills. Because the communications were disseminated within the 28 days prior to the June 14th primary election, and Governor Mills is running for reelection, PPMAF requests a determination from the Commission that its communications are not to be considered independent expenditures.
Decided: A finding that the communications in this case are not an independent expenditure and that PPMAF has successfully rebutted the presumption. (vote 5-0)
During May 23 – June 3, 2022, U.S. Term Limits (USTL) sent mailings referring to nine candidates who were opposed in the June 14, 2022 Republican primary election for Maine House of Representatives and Maine Senate. The organization explains the purpose of the mailings was to promote congressional term limits and highlight the candidates’ positions on the issue. Because the communications were disseminated within the 28 days before the primary, U.S. Term Limits requests a determination from the Commission that their mailings are not to be considered independent expenditures.
Decided: A finding that the communications in this case are independent expenditures and that USTL has not rebutted the presumption. (vote 5-0)
Tiffany Estabrook, a candidate for State Representative, District 75, appealed a determination by the Commission staff that she did not collect a sufficient number of valid qualifying contributions to receive Maine Clean Election Act funding. The Commission held a hearing to consider her appeal.
Decided: To deny the appeal of Ms. Estabrook for MCEA funding. (vote 5-0)
Decided: To grant the appeal because Mr. Desjardins testified under oath that in two instances a person signed for their spouse based on a disability or impairment, which would get him to the 60 qualifying contributions needed to become an MCEA candidate. (vote 5-0)
Kathleen Shaw, a candidate for State Representative, District 88, has appealed a determination by the Commission staff that she did not collect a sufficient number of valid qualifying contributions to receive Maine Clean Election Act funding.
Decided: To deny the appeal of Ms. Shaw for MCEA funding. (vote 5-0)
Eric Rojo, a candidate for State Senator, District 8, has appealed a determination by the Commission staff that he did not collect a sufficient number of valid qualifying contributions to receive Maine Clean Election Act funding.
Decided: To deny the appeal of Mr. Rojo for MCEA funding. (vote 5-0, motion passes)
Patricia Kidder, a candidate for State Representative, District 141, has appealed a determination by the Commission staff that she did not qualify for Maine Clean Election Act funding. The Commission staff denied her application because she did not submit a Request for Certification form that is required by the Commission’s rules.
Decided: To deny the appeal of Ms. Kidder for MCEA funding. (vote 2-3, motion fails)
Misty Coolidge is a candidate for the Maine House of Representatives, District 65. In May, she applied to the Commission for Maine Clean Election Act funding. On May 29, 2020, the Commission staff determined that she had not submitted 60 valid qualifying contributions, which are required to receive Maine Clean Election Act funding. The Commission staff found that four qualifying contributions were not valid because Ms. Coolidge did not sign a required statement on a receipt and acknowledgement form that she had collected the four contributions listed on that form. The candidate has appealed the staff determination. The Commission will hold a hearing on her appeal, pursuant to 21-A M.R.S. § 1…
Decided: Sustain the appeal and qualify Misty Coolidge as a Maine Clean Election Act candidate able to receive the first level of funding as authorized by statute. (vote 2-1 (Mr. Nass opposed))
Cynthia Soma-Hernandez is a candidate for the Maine House of Representatives, District 112. In May, she applied to the Commission for Maine Clean Election Act funding. On June 3, 2020, the Commission staff determined that she had not submitted 60 valid qualifying contributions, which are required to receive Maine Clean Election Act funding. The Commission staff found that 28 qualifying contributions were not valid because the candidate had submitted no proof that the contributors were registered to vote, two contributions were duplicates, one contribution was missing and one money order was signed by someone other than the contributor. Ms. Soma-Hernandez has appealed the staff determination.…
Decided: To affirm the decision of the Executive Director of the Maine Ethics Commission that Ms. Cynthia Soma-Hernandez did not submit 60 qualifying contributions to entitle her to participate in the Maine Clean Election Act program. (vote 3-0)