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Bill

LD 454

An Act To Allow Candidates For Secretary Of State Or Attorney General To Participate In The Maine Clean Election Act

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Joe Baldacci

Expands Maine's Clean Election Act to publicly fund campaigns for Secretary of State and Attorney General candidates, extending existing publicly funded election program to additional statewide offices.

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
#campaignfinance #cleanelectioncandidates #elections
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Bill Summary · LD 454

Legislative bill overview

LD 454 would expand Maine's Clean Election Act to allow candidates for Secretary of State and Attorney General to participate in the publicly funded election financing program. Currently, only candidates for Governor, State Senate, and State House are eligible. The bill aims to bring these statewide constitutional offices under the same campaign finance framework.

Why is this important

Maine's Clean Election Act allows participating candidates to receive public funding instead of raising private donations, theoretically reducing the influence of wealthy donors and special interests. Expanding eligibility to these two additional statewide offices would either increase the program's cost or require reallocation of existing funds, while potentially affecting how these positions are campaigned for and funded.

Potential points of contention

  • Program cost and budget impact: Extending public financing to two more statewide races increases taxpayer funding needs unless money is redirected from existing participants
  • Selective expansion rationale: Questions about why these two offices specifically versus other statewide positions (State Treasurer, State Auditor, etc.)
  • Enforcement and fairness concerns: Ensuring candidates who opt into the program aren't disadvantaged by opponents who raise unlimited private funds outside the system

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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