MAINE'S CLEAN ENVIRONMENT DEPENDS UPON CLEAN ELECTIONS
Sierra Club Maine strongly supports clean elections laws because we understand that a healthy, fair and functioning democracy is necessary to ensure progressive environmental and public health laws and policies. We are proud to have been one of the early proponents for Maine's historic Clean Elections Act, which provides a voluntary system to keep big money out of state elections, and we continue to support the law and efforts to strengthen it.
Unfortunately, due to a 2011 U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down Arizona's clean election matching funds system, the part of Maine's clean elections system that allowed Clean Elections candidates to remain competitive when they were outspent by a privately funded opponent or independent expenditures was also struck down. To remain a viable option for candidates, the Maine Clean Election Act must be amended.
UPDATE:
On November 3, 2015, Maine citizens voted to strenghten the state's pioneering Clean Elections Law.
Question 1, approved by 55%-45%, will:
- Increase fines and penalties for those who break election rules so we can keep our representatives accountable to us
- Increase transparency and disclosure by requiring big money special interests trying to influence our elections to list their top three funders on all political ads
- Encourage strict campaign finance and disclosure limits by strengthening Maine’s Clean Elections system so candidates can run for office without being beholden to wealthy special interests
- Be paid for by closing current tax loopholes for corporations
We believe in government of, by and for the people -- not government bought and paid for by ultra wealthy special interests. Mainers deserve politicians who are accountable to us.
LEARN MORE
"A clean environment depends on clean elections," op-ed by Sierra Club national director Michael Brune and Sierra Club Maine volunteer leader Jim Frick. Bangor Daily News, April 21, 2014.
"Protecting our environment starts with protecting our democracy," op-ed by Lynn Sudlow, Sierra Club Maine volunteer leader. Portland Press Herald, August 15, 2014.
Maine Citizens for Clean Elections
Yes on Question 1 (Clean Elections Ballot Initiative)