WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

LD 1787

An Act To Strengthen The Maine Clean Election Act

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rick Bennett and 7 co-sponsors

LD 1787: An Act To Strengthen The Maine Clean Election Act OverviewBill Number: LD 1787 Title: An Act To Strengthen The Maine Clean Election Act Status: Signed by Governor Intro

Signed by Governor
#campaignfinance #cleanelections #elections
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LD 1787

LD 1787: An Act To Strengthen The Maine Clean Election Act

Overview

Bill Number: LD 1787
Title: An Act To Strengthen The Maine Clean Election Act
Status: Signed by Governor
Introduced: April 24, 2025

Purpose and Intent

This bill aims to enhance the Maine Clean Election Act, which provides public funding for qualified candidates running for state office. The primary goals are to increase participation in the Clean Election program, improve transparency, and strengthen enforcement mechanisms to ensure the integrity of Maine's campaign finance system.

Key Provisions

  • Increases the base amount of Clean Election funding for gubernatorial, state senate, and state house candidates to better keep pace with the rising costs of campaigning.
  • Expands eligibility for Clean Election funding to include more types of political committees and party committees.
  • Requires additional disclosures and reporting for groups making independent expenditures, to improve transparency around outside spending.
  • Empowers the Maine Ethics Commission to levy higher fines and penalties for violations of campaign finance laws.
  • Mandates increased auditing and monitoring of Clean Election fund disbursements to detect and deter misuse of public funds.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Candidates running for state office in Maine will have access to increased public funding through the Clean Election program, making it more viable for grassroots and challenger campaigns.
  • Political committees and party organizations will face new disclosure requirements for their independent expenditures.
  • The Maine Ethics Commission will have enhanced tools to enforce campaign finance laws and ensure the proper use of public funds.
  • Maine voters will benefit from greater transparency around the sources and amounts of political spending in state elections.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

LD 1787 was signed into law by the Governor on June 15, 2025. The provisions of the bill will take effect for the 2026 election cycle, with the increased Clean Election funding amounts and new disclosure requirements in place. The Maine Ethics Commission has until January 1, 2026 to promulgate any necessary rules and regulations to implement the law.

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

Sign in to ask a question.