Hate money in politics? Support Maine Clean Elections candidates!

I’d be willing to bet $5 that you think there is too much money tied up in our politics: local, state, federal. In fact, I’d be willing to bet $10, because that’s the amount I donated to Maine Clean Election Act (MCEA) candidates in my district this election cycle, the maximum amount I possibly could.

Maine has a way of coming up with really good ideas. This is one of them. Candidates hoping to qualify under MCEA must prove they have community support by collecting $5 donations from as many registered voters in their districts as possible. Each voter can only donate to the candidate once. If the candidate meets certain thresholds, depending on which office they are running for, they qualify as a MCEA candidate and receive funds dispersed from the general Maine Clean Election Fund. The funding amounts are predetermined and they can’t accept any other funds once they qualify as a MCEA candidate. It is tough work to be a MCEA candidate and can put their campaign at a financial disadvantage; there is no requirement that their opponents run as MCEA candidates.

The Maine Clean Election Act pushes candidates away from big money fundraisers with deep pocket donors and toward the actual voters; candidates have to spend time getting to know many of their potential constituents and what they care about in order to qualify for funding. It creates a more level playing field for those within the MCEA framework and displays a level of candidate transparency and integrity we ought to be able to expect from our elected officials. It is a good system, one we as voters should also do our part to support.

To find your local MCEA candidates, go to www.maine.gov/ethics/candidates/maine-clean-election-act.

 

Stephanie Sienkiewicz

Augusta

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