September 24, 2025 Commission Meeting

Описание: September 24, 2025 Commission Meeting
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Agenda (154.4 KB)
1. Ratification of the Minutes of the July 23, 2025 Meeting

Motion: To ratify the July 23, 2025 minutes as presented
Made by: Commissioner Marble
Seconded by: Commissioner Hastings

Vote: 4-0

2. Public Hearing for Rulemaking

The Commission will hold a public hearing to receive any comments from the public on proposed amendments to Chapter 1 of the Commission’s rules.

Additional Material - Public Comment Received

3. Paid Radio Messages Promoting 2024 Legislative Candidates in Aroostook County

In October 2024, the Aroostook Democratic County Committee paid $1,999 to a local radio station to broadcast paid messages featuring six Democratic legislative nominees. The committee believed the payment was allowed under Maine Election Law because it promoted a slate of legislative candidates. Staff recommendation: Commission staff recommends finding that the candidates accepted an in-kind contribution of paid broadcast time in violation of the Maine Clean Election Act because each message featured one candidate, and did not list three or more candidates.

Motion: To find the six 2024 legislative candidates violated 21-A M.R.S. § 1125(6) by accepting in-kind contributions of advertising time on Channel Z and to impose no penalty.Made by: Commissioner Schneider
Seconded by: Commissioner Hastings

Vote: 2-1 (Commissioner LeClaire abstained)

Motion: To find the Aroostook County Democratic Committee violated 21-A M.R.S. § 1017-A(2)(A) and 94-270 C.M.R. ch. 1, § 7(7) because they did not disclose which candidates it was supporting in their campaign finance reporting, and to impose no penalty.

Made by: Commissioner Schneider
Seconded by: Commissioner Marble

Vote: 3-0 (Commissioner LeClaire abstained)

Motion: To find the Aroostook County Democratic Committee violated 21-A M.R.S. § 1014(1) because the messages did not include the address of the Committee and the statement that the candidate authorized the messages, and to impose no penalty.

Made by: Commissioner Schneider
Seconded by: Commissioner Hastings

Vote: 3-0 (Commissioner LeClaire abstained)

4. Request for Waiver of Late-Filing Penalty – ActBlue Maine PAC

The fundraising platform ActBlue has a registered PAC in Maine that discloses contributions from donors to Maine candidates and committees. The PAC was 14 days late filing a campaign finance report due July 15, 2025 covering the second quarter of 2024. ActBlue requests a waiver of the preliminary penalty of $683,731 because the PAC attempted in good faith to upload more than 13,000 transactions to the Commission’s efiling system but experienced processing delays and had to address other errors. Staff recommendation: Commission staff recommends a reduction of 80% - 85% and assessing a final penalty in the range of $102,560 - $136,746.

Motion: To find ActBlue Maine PAC was late in filing their Semi-Annual Report and to assess a penalty of $100,000.

Made by: Commissioner Hastings
Seconded by: Commissioner Marble

Vote: 4-0

5. Late Registration by Protect ME – No Red Flag

Protect ME – No Red Flag is a ballot question committee formed by the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine to oppose the red flag citizen initiative on the November 2025 ballot. Based on the date the ballot question committee exceeded the $5,000 registration threshold, it appears the committee registered 26 days late on July 1, 2025. Staff recommendation: the staff recommends finding that Protect ME - No Red Flag registered 26 days late and assessing a penalty of $500.

Motion: To find the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine violated 21-A M.R.S. §1052-A(1)(A-1) by registering their ballot question committee with the Commission late and to assess a penalty of $500.

Made by: Commissioner Schneider
Seconded by: Commissioner Marble

Vote: 4-0

6. Audits of Maine Clean Election Act Candidates

Through a contract with an accounting firm, the Commission audits the financial activity of 20% of legislative candidates who participate in the Maine Clean Election Act program. The Commission’s auditors will update the Commission on their review of 2024 legislative candidates.

Additional Material

7. Legislation to Implement Working Group’s Recommendations

The Commission will consider legislation that would implement the recommendations of a working group formed by the Commission to simplify campaign finance reporting deadlines close to a general election.

Other Business - None

Executive Session - None

ADJOURNMENT - 10:44 a.m.