Maine Citizen Initiatives Certified Protect Maine Elections

On Nov. 30, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D), confirmed that a Citizen Initiative Campaign, Protect Maine Elections, submitted enough Signatures for the Initiative to be Certified to the State Legislature. Then it will have a chance of being Approved by the State Legislature or appearing on the Nov. 2023 Ballot.

The Protect Maine Elections Campaign submitted 67,550 valid Signatures on Nov. 1st, 2022. The Initiative would Prohibit Election spending by Foreign Governments, including Entities with Partial Foreign Government Ownership or Control.

The Campaign said, “Our initiative stops foreign governments from spending in Maine elections, imposes new public disclosure requirements on foreign entities that engage in issue advertising, and requires that media companies disclose illegal spending by foreign powers."

The Initiatives are Indirect Initiatives, the only kind permitted in Maine.

Unlike standard Citizen Initiatives, which are Certified to the Ballot after a Campaign submits enough Valid Signatures, an Indirect Initiative goes to the State Legislature first. If the Legislature passes the Initiative, it becomes Law.

The Initiative only goes to the Ballot, if the Legislature Rejects the Initiative or does Not take action by the End of the Session, the Initiative will go to Maine Voters at the Election on Nov. 7th, 2023. 










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker