Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.
Campaign finance agencies in Maine
This article does not receive scheduled updates. If you would like to help our coverage grow, consider donating to Ballotpedia. Contact our team to suggest an update.
In Maine, there is one primary agency involved in statewide campaign finance regulation: the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices. The commission administers Maine's campaign finance laws.[1]
- See also: Campaign finance requirements in Maine
Authority
The state ethics commission is authorized to administer Maine's campaign finance laws. This includes overseeing the reporting process for candidates and political committees. The commission is also authorized to issue advisory opinions and investigate alleged violations of the law.[1]
The commission is authorized to levy civil fines for the following violations:[2]
- If a campaign finance report is filed late, the commission can levy a fine of no more than $100.
- If a contribution is received or made that exceeds legal limits, the commission can levy a fine "of no more than the amount by which the contribution exceeded the limitation."
- If a contribution is made in another person's name, or if an individual or group knowingly accepts such a contribution, the commission can levy a fine of no more than $5,000.
- If a campaign finance report is filed that substantially misreports the facts, the commission can levy a fine of no more than $5,000.
- If a person or group "makes a material false statement" or "makes a statement that includes a material misrepresentation in a document that is required to be submitted to the commission," the commission can levy a fine of no more than $5,000.
If the commission levies a fine against a violator and the violator fails to pay the fine, the commission must notify the attorney general. Only the attorney general is authorized to prosecute criminal violations of the law.[2]
Organization
The ethics commission is led by a governing board. The board comprises five members. Members serve three-year terms and are jointly appointed by the governor and legislative leaders. No more than two members may belong to the same political party.[1]
Electronic reporting system
- See also: Campaign finance requirements in Maine
Candidates and political committees in Maine can file campaign finance reports electronically using the state's online filing system, which can be accessed here. The public can access filed campaign finance reports here.
Contact information
Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices
- 135 State House Station
- Augusta, ME 04333
- Telephone: 207-287-4179
- Fax: 207-287-6775
- Email: ethics@maine.gov
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Campaign finance Maine. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, "About Us," accessed June 25, 2025
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, "Title 21-A M.R.S. Chapter 13: Campaign Finance Reports and Finances," accessed June 25, 2025 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "law" defined multiple times with different content
 |
State of Maine Augusta (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
| Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |
