Bill > LD118

This bill expands the Maine Clean Election Act to allow candidates for sheriff and district attorney to participate in the public campaign financing program beginning with the 2028 election cycle. The legislation modifies existing law to include sheriff and district attorney candidates in definitions related to certified, participating, and nonparticipating candidates. The Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices is required to establish specific terms of participation for these new candidate types, taking into account factors such as historical spending patterns, county population, and election competitiveness. The commission must set rules for seed money contribution limits, qualifying contribution requirements, and fund distribution amounts that are comparable to existing rules for legislative and gubernatorial candidates, while allowing for reasonable adjustments based on the unique characteristics of sheriff and district attorney races. The bill maintains the core principles of the Maine Clean Election Act, which provides an alternative campaign financing option that allows candidates to run for office using public funds instead of private donations, with the goal of reducing the influence of money in political campaigns.

Military Affairs and Security

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=118&snum=132