Groups opposing a voter ID referendum and supporting a red flag law are outraising and outspending their counterparts by wide margins a month before the Nov. 4 election.

Opponents of Question 1, which would require voters to show an ID before casting a ballot and place additional restrictions on absentee voting, have raised and spent three times as much as proponents through Sept. 30.

Proponents of Question 2, which would adopt a red flag law that would allow family and household members to petition a court to remove access to firearms for someone who is a threat to themselves or others, have raised seven times more and spent 10 times more than opponents.

Money doesn’t guarantee victory, but the latest campaign finance reports filed Monday show that groups opposing voter ID and supporting a red flag law in Maine are better positioned to reach and mobilize voters ahead of the election.

QUESTION 1

Question 1 is generating the most money so far. Opponents have raised about $1.75 million combined and spent more than $935,000, compared to the $538,000 raised and $370,000 spent by supporters.

Save Absentee Voting, a coalition of nearly three dozen advocacy groups opposed to the proposed new voting requirements, is leading the charge. The group has raised $1.3 million, including $712,000 during the last quarter, and spent nearly $585,000 during the campaign.

“Our finance report shows there’s a tremendous amount of energy and concern about Question 1 among Maine people and Maine donors,” spokesperson David Farmer said. “If Question 1 were to pass, it would undermine Maine’s very successful absentee voting system and could make it harder or impossible for thousands of people to cast their ballot.”

In addition to requiring a photo ID when voting, the proposal would change absentee voting rules, including eliminating two days of early voting, no longer allowing people to receive absentee ballots annually without requesting them and limit the number of ballot drop boxes, among other changes.

The National Education Association contributed $150,000 against the measure last quarter, while the Service Employees International Union gave $90,000. Former House Speaker Sara Gideon donated $50,000 from her failed 2020 U.S. Senate campaign.

The group also has received an additional $122,000 of in-kind contributions from the group’s 30-plus members and has $44,000 in unpaid debts for printing, social media and online advertising.

National groups representing Democratic governors, senators and representatives are spending independently on the campaign as well, including more than $152,000 from the Washington, D.C.-based Elias Law Group for legal services.

The Democratic Governors’ Association gave an additional $70,000 to the state party to oppose Question 1.

The main proponents, Voter ID for ME, trail far behind. They have raised $538,000, but only $11,800 of that was raised in the last quarter. Nearly all of that funding — $500,000 — has come from the National Republican Leadership Committee.

Campaign manager Alex Titcomb said the voter ID campaign is a “grassroots, citizen-led effort from the beginning” that’s focused on turning out the vote.

“We are not surprised by the recent finance reports,” Titcomb said. “This was expected and continues a pattern on the left, where large amounts of out-of-state money flood into Maine. … In this case, their intent is to stop the will of the people who want to strengthen our elections by passing voter ID.”

The group has $174,000 in cash on hand and received $30,000 of in-kind contributions from Washington, D.C.-based Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections, or RITE, for legal services.

QUESTION 2

Supporters of Question 2 are in a much better position.

Safe Schools Safe Communities has raised $407,000, including $300,000 last quarter, while spending $322,000 in the campaign. They reported having $175,000 in cash on hand.

“We’re entering the final month of the campaign with strong support from Mainers throughout the state,” Yes on 2 campaign manager James Stretch said in a written statement. “We know that our opponents have the backing of the national gun lobby and their deep pockets, so our campaign to pass this life-saving law depends on our donors.”

Safe Schools Safe Communities got a big boost from wealthy donors last quarter, including from author Stephen King, who donated $20,000.

Susan Crimmins, of Portland, has donated more than $30,000, while Carol Wishcamper, of Freeport, has donated at least $25,000. And Gideon gave $33,000 from her 2020 campaign.

The Alliance for Gun Responsability Fund, a Seattle-based advocacy group, contributed $65,000.

The group also received a $190,000 loan from the Maine Gun Safety Coalition and has $20,000 in debt, primarily for TV, cable and other media advertisements.

Opponents of Question 2 — Protect ME -No Red Flag, run by the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, and Keep ME Safe, run by the Gun Owners of Maine — have raised only $56,000 and spent $30,000 combined.

While opponents of Question 2 face a funding disadvantage, Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, came out against the referendum, saying Maine’s current yellow flag law, which requires police intervention, has proven safe and effective, while also ensuring strong due process protections for gun owners.

Laura Whitcomb, president of the Gun Owners of Maine, said she expects opponents to hold their fundraising advantage.

“Keep Maine Safe will continue to provide factual information to the Maine voter on why Red Flag laws are dangerous for Maine,” Whitcomb said.