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.
At the Commission’s May 6, 2026 meeting, the Commission considered complaints against three Democratic candidates for Governor concerning red box messages on their campaign websites. The Commission will give the issue additional consideration after reviewing a legal memo from its counsel and other input. Additional Materials - Campaign Legal Center Comments Additional Materials - Draft Advisory Statement
Decided: To adopt the Advisory Statement and promulgate it as effectively as possible. (vote 4-0)
The Commission received complaints about three Democratic candidates for Governor concerning red box messages on their campaign websites. Additional Material - Comments by Maine Citizens for Clean Elections Additional Material - Response from Nirav Shah
Decided: To request Mr. Bolton provide a legal opinion advising candidates and campaigns on the matter. (vote 4-0)
The Commission will review a draft report on proposals in the U.S. Congress to amend the federal constitution to allow for greater regulation of how money is raised and spent to influence elections.
Decided: To approve the publication of the report (vote 4-0)
The Commission will discuss a suggestion it received at a previous meeting that the Legislature or the Commission should put together a working group or stakeholder group to discuss the deadlines for 24-Hour and Independent Expenditure reports.
Decided: To convene a stakeholder group to discuss issues about reporting towards the end of election seasons, and to try to uncomplicate them by making recommendations for statute or rule changes. (vote 5-0)
On November 7, 2023, Maine voters approved Question 2, which directed the Commission to issue a report by July 31, 2024 on proposals in the U.S. Congress to amend the federal constitution to allow for greater regulation of how money is raised and spent to influence elections.
In early 2023, the Commission staff requested the 110 political action committees registered with the Commission verify that the cash balance shown in the summary section of their campaign finance reports accurately stated the balance in their bank accounts as of December 31, 2022. The Senate Democratic Campaign Committee undertook an internal audit, corrected some financial reporting errors by former staff, and is requesting a balance adjustment be made for the remaining balance discrepancy.
Decided: To direct the staff to make a balance adjustment to correct the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee's final balance. (vote 5-0)
At its October 25, 2023 meeting, the Commission voted to initiate a rulemaking on proposed amendments to the Commission’s rules. Comments were accepted through December 15, 2023. The Commission will decide whether to adopt the proposed amendments.
Decided: To adopt the proposed amendments to the Commission's Rules. (vote 5-0)
In early 2023, the Commission staff requested that the 110 political action committees (PACs) registered with the Commission verify that the cash balance shown in the summary section of their campaign finance reports accurately stated the balance in their bank accounts as of December 31, 2022. Some PACs had discrepancies between their reported and actual cash balances, which have been resolved. Seven PACs currently have a discrepancy of at least $1,000. The Commission’s Political Committee and Lobbyist Registrar will provide an update.
Decided: To permit the staff to adjust our records to match the actual balance in the Maine Senate Republican Majority PAC funds. (vote 5-0)
The Commission staff recommends completing a major substantive rulemaking initiated by the Commission in October 2022. During the 2023 session, the Maine Legislature authorized the Commission to finally adopt the amendments, except for one policy change which the Legislature preferred to address in statute.
Decided: To adopt the rule changes as recommended. (vote 5-0)
William Clardy filed a complaint alleging that the American Leadership Committee - Maine political action committee (PAC) did not report its legal expenses and the value of staff time of an affiliated organization in preparing and fixing the PAC’s independent expenditure communications. Mr. Clardy also asserts that the expenditure dates in the PAC’s independent expenditure reports are not accurate.
Decided: That ALC-Maine PAC be found liable for reporting $55,654 of legal fees late on their 42-Day Post-General Report. (vote 5-0)
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 Commission staff will report on the status of the investigation into ALEC CARE software that the American Legislative Exchange Council provides to its members as a free membership benefit.
Decided: To continue this matter until the next meeting. (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)
In July 2021, the Center for Media and Democracy filed a complaint alleging that the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has provided campaign software to legislative candidates in Maine who are members of ALEC and that the software amounts to an illegal campaign contribution. ALEC responded that the software is for the purpose of helping legislators manage their relationships with their constituents. The Commission staff will update the Commission on developments since the January 26, 2022 meeting.
Decided: To direct the staff to issue subpoena(s) to determine whether the ALEC CARE software constitutes a contribution that exceeds the contribution limits. (vote WITHDRAWN)
In July 2021, the Center for Media and Democracy filed a complaint alleging that the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has provided campaign software to legislative candidates in Maine who are members of ALEC and that the software amounts to an illegal campaign contribution. ALEC responded that the software is for the purpose of helping legislators manage their relationships with their constituents. The Commission staff will update the Commission on developments since the September 29, 2021 meeting.
Decided: To have the Commission staff continue attempts to obtain the contents of the ALEC CARE software, review it and report back to the Commissioners with the results. (vote 3-2 (Mr. Hastings and Mr. Schneider opposed))
Decided: To go into executive session pursuant to 1 M.R.S. § 405(6)(E) to discuss pending or contemplated litigation with Commission counsel. (vote 5-0)
The Commission received a request to investigate whether advertisements by the Mainers for Fair Laws PAC did not include the PAC’s address, as required by the Election Law. The PAC acknowledges that the addresses are missing from the ads. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended the assessment of a penalty in the range of $1,000 to $1,500 for the violation.
Decided: Consent to the participation of the Political Committee and Lobbyist Registrar in this matter despite a conflict of interest as determined by the Maine Board of Bar Overseers. (vote 5-0)
A new law enacted in 2021 authorized members of Maine state boards and commissions to participate remotely in a proceeding if the board or commission has adopted a written policy on participating remotely. The Commission considered a draft policy proposed by staff and comments from members of the public.
Decided: Adopt the policy as presented. (vote No Vote Taken)
Question on Confidentiality in Litigation (No written materials)
The Commission discussed whether to keep confidential the name of a political consulting firm that received an investigative subpoena from the Commission, in the event of any litigation over enforcement of the subpoena.
Decided: If an entity whose identity the Commission has kept confidential files suit objection to a subpoena served on it and then requests the court keep its identity confidential, then Commission will not oppose the request.
The Commission will continue its consideration of agenda item #2 from the Commission’s June 11, 2021 meeting. Stop the Corridor and a political consulting firm have objected to a second investigative subpoena to produce records. The Commission will consider the objections as a petition to vacate or modify the subpoena under 5 M.R.S. § 9060(1)(C). Part of the consideration of this item may be conducted in executive session pursuant to 1 M.R.S. § 405(6)(F) and 21-A M.R.S. § 1003(3-A).
Decided: Pursuant to 1 MRSA § 405(6)(F) and 21-A MRSA § 1003(3-A), to go into executive session to consider the objections to the subpoena that was served. (vote 4-0)
Stop the Corridor has objected to a second investigative subpoena to produce records. The Commission will consider the objections as a petition to vacate or modify the subpoena under 5 M.R.S. § 9060(1)(C). In addition, the Commission will consider a petition to vacate a subpoena for records which the Commission issued to another political consulting firm. Part of the consideration of this item may be conducted in executive session pursuant to 1 M.R.S. § 405(6)(F) and 21-A M.R.S. § 1003(3-A).
Decided: To go into executive session pursuant to 1 MRSA §1005 & 1 MRSA §405(6)(F) to discuss records made confidential by statute relating to Stop the Corridor’s objections to a records subpoena and to consider the petition to vacate a subpoena filed by another consulting firm which has stated it believes its name is confidential. (vote 5-0)
On March 1, 2021, Maine First Project, a non-profit organization led by Rep. Larry Lockman, sent a mailer discussing education policy that, among other things, included references to candidates for the Senate District 14 Election. Because the candidates are specifically mentioned in a paid communication disseminated in the last 35-days before the special election, the communications are presumed to be independent expenditures. Maine First Project has filed a statement to rebut the presumption stating that the communications were not intended to influence the candidates’ election. Staff Recommendation: The staff recommended that Maine First Project had rebutted the presumption.
Decided: To find that the communication that was disseminated by Maine First Project was not with the intent to influence the election of a candidate for public office. (vote 5-0)
April Turner was a Maine Clean Election Act (MCEA) candidate in 2020 for House District 99. The Commission staff advised her that two payments of MCEA funds to her spouse, totaling $817.56 to reimburse him for internet and cell phone use, were not allowed under the Commission’s published MCEA expenditure guidelines. The candidate has not argued that the expenses were allowed. Subsequently, she has declined to respond to several communications by the Commission staff requesting the funds. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended finding that Ms. Turner violated 21-A M.R.S. § 1125(6) by spending MCEA funds for purposes that were not campaign-related and request she repay $817.56 …
Decided: To find that the reimbursement by April Turner to her husband Craig Turner for internet costs in the amount of $301.86 which involves the period of March through November 2020 and the reimbursement to Craig Turner for $515.70 for cell phone usage from the period of March through November of 2020 for a total of $817.56 were improper reimbursements because these were normal household expenditures for which clean election money cannot be spent. (vote 5-0)
The staff will present a plan for auditing 2020 leadership PACs, an initiative proposed by Commission members arising out of enforcement matters and public discussion of leadership PACs in 2016-2017.
Decided: That the Commission staff conduct a review of the leadership PACs selected by the Commission staff as proposed in the staff memo for the year 2020. (vote Withdrawn)
On June 19, 2019, Stop the Corridor filed a proceeding with the Maine Superior Court arguing that the Commission had exceeded its statutory jurisdiction by expanding its campaign finance investigation at its May 22, 2020 meeting. On September 18, 2020, the Commission issued an investigative subpoena for records. Stop the Corridor is requesting that the Commission vacate the subpoena while the court proceeding is pending.
Decided: To deny Stop the Corridor’s request to vacate the subpoena (vote 5-0)
Dr. Demi Kouzounas submitted a request to investigate six 2018 Facebook advertisements featuring messages by the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, Sara Gideon. Dr. Kouzounas asks the Commission to consider whether the ads amounted to an unreported contribution by the Gideon Leadership PAC to the Speaker’s 2018 re-election committee. Speaker Gideon responds that the ads do not mention elections or voting, and do not refer to her as a candidate in the 2018 general election. Rather, they were distributed statewide to support her work as Speaker through communicating official statements, press releases, and updates prepared by legislative staff. Speaker Gideon states that the politi…
Decided: That while the expenditures made by the Gideon Leadership PAC and the House Democratic Caucus PAC for the Facebook ads exceeded $400, they were not made for the purpose of influencing the election of a candidate to a state, county or municipal office. (vote 4-0 (Ms. Lowry recused herself from consideration of this matter))
The Commission staff proposes additional guidance relating to paid communications to influence the November 3, 2020 citizen initiative to reject NECEC.
Decided: To adopt the Guidance on Paid Communications Relating to the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) Transmission Project. (vote 3-0)
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)
On November 1, 2019, the New Mainers PAC received two contributions of $5,000 and $7,000. The PAC was required to disclose them the next day in a 24-Hour Report. Unaware of the requirement, the PAC filed the 24-Hour Report on December 17, 2018 when it was preparing the regularly scheduled 42-day post-general election report. The preliminary penalty is $10,000, and the PAC requested a waiver due to the inexperience of the PAC leaders and the small degree of harm to the public.
Decided: To adopt the staff recommendation of $1,000 for the late filing. (vote 4-0)