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Leading Fight Against Money in Politics, Maine Voters Back Clean Elections
'Voters in Maine, like almost all Americans in both parties, are mad as hell about money in politics, so they stopped talking about the problem and did something about it.'
Nov 04, 2015
Maine voters on Tuesday reaffirmed their desire to keep the influence of big money out of politics by passing the Clean Elections Initiative, a move that campaigners say serves as a "flare to a nation" desperate to "reclaim control of our democracy" in the wake of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision.
According to the Bangor Daily News, the Initiative passed 55 to 45 percent. The measure strengthens the state's Clean Election Act by bolstering financing for the state's Clean Election Fund, increasing penalties for violations of campaign finance disclosure rules, amending ad disclosure rules to require the disclosure of a campaign's top three funders, and allowing a candidate to apply for additional funds.
When Maine voters passed the Clean Election Act in 1996, it marked the first statewide system for the public financing of elections in the nation.
"As is their custom, Mainers are leading the way for the nation," said Miles Rapoport, president of the national pro-democracy group Common Cause in a statement celebrating Tuesday's vote. "Their strong vote today for accountable elections further underscores their determination to make our democracy work for everyone; it reflects the sentiments of millions of Americans who are determined to rein in the power of big money and refocus our politics on issues important to citizens."
Citizens in Seattle, Washington on Tuesday also passed a landmark public financing law and in Ohio voters overwhelmingly backed a constitutional amendment that put an end to partisan gerrymandering in the state.
"There's a direct link between the big votes in Maine for accountable elections and Ohio for fair redistricting," Rapoport continued.
"Voters in Maine, like almost all Americans in both parties, are mad as hell about money in politics, so they stopped talking about the problem and did something about it," he added. "They sent a signal to Big Money that common sense rules governing our politics are possible, indeed essential if we're to have truly robust political debates, and that the people will pass them through citizen action if legislatures fail to act."
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This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. If you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
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Lauren McCauley
Lauren McCauley is a former senior editor for Common Dreams covering national and international politics and progressive news. She is now the Editor of Maine Morning Star. Lauren also helped produce a number of documentary films, including the award-winning Soundtrack for a Revolution and The Hollywood Complex, as well as one currently in production about civil rights icon James Meredith. Her writing has been featured on Newsweek, BillMoyers.com, TruthDig, Truthout, In These Times, and Extra! the newsletter of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. She currently lives in Kennebunk, Maine with her husband, two children, a dog, and several chickens.
Maine voters on Tuesday reaffirmed their desire to keep the influence of big money out of politics by passing the Clean Elections Initiative, a move that campaigners say serves as a "flare to a nation" desperate to "reclaim control of our democracy" in the wake of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision.
According to the Bangor Daily News, the Initiative passed 55 to 45 percent. The measure strengthens the state's Clean Election Act by bolstering financing for the state's Clean Election Fund, increasing penalties for violations of campaign finance disclosure rules, amending ad disclosure rules to require the disclosure of a campaign's top three funders, and allowing a candidate to apply for additional funds.
When Maine voters passed the Clean Election Act in 1996, it marked the first statewide system for the public financing of elections in the nation.
"As is their custom, Mainers are leading the way for the nation," said Miles Rapoport, president of the national pro-democracy group Common Cause in a statement celebrating Tuesday's vote. "Their strong vote today for accountable elections further underscores their determination to make our democracy work for everyone; it reflects the sentiments of millions of Americans who are determined to rein in the power of big money and refocus our politics on issues important to citizens."
Citizens in Seattle, Washington on Tuesday also passed a landmark public financing law and in Ohio voters overwhelmingly backed a constitutional amendment that put an end to partisan gerrymandering in the state.
"There's a direct link between the big votes in Maine for accountable elections and Ohio for fair redistricting," Rapoport continued.
"Voters in Maine, like almost all Americans in both parties, are mad as hell about money in politics, so they stopped talking about the problem and did something about it," he added. "They sent a signal to Big Money that common sense rules governing our politics are possible, indeed essential if we're to have truly robust political debates, and that the people will pass them through citizen action if legislatures fail to act."
Lauren McCauley
Lauren McCauley is a former senior editor for Common Dreams covering national and international politics and progressive news. She is now the Editor of Maine Morning Star. Lauren also helped produce a number of documentary films, including the award-winning Soundtrack for a Revolution and The Hollywood Complex, as well as one currently in production about civil rights icon James Meredith. Her writing has been featured on Newsweek, BillMoyers.com, TruthDig, Truthout, In These Times, and Extra! the newsletter of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. She currently lives in Kennebunk, Maine with her husband, two children, a dog, and several chickens.
Maine voters on Tuesday reaffirmed their desire to keep the influence of big money out of politics by passing the Clean Elections Initiative, a move that campaigners say serves as a "flare to a nation" desperate to "reclaim control of our democracy" in the wake of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision.
According to the Bangor Daily News, the Initiative passed 55 to 45 percent. The measure strengthens the state's Clean Election Act by bolstering financing for the state's Clean Election Fund, increasing penalties for violations of campaign finance disclosure rules, amending ad disclosure rules to require the disclosure of a campaign's top three funders, and allowing a candidate to apply for additional funds.
When Maine voters passed the Clean Election Act in 1996, it marked the first statewide system for the public financing of elections in the nation.
"As is their custom, Mainers are leading the way for the nation," said Miles Rapoport, president of the national pro-democracy group Common Cause in a statement celebrating Tuesday's vote. "Their strong vote today for accountable elections further underscores their determination to make our democracy work for everyone; it reflects the sentiments of millions of Americans who are determined to rein in the power of big money and refocus our politics on issues important to citizens."
Citizens in Seattle, Washington on Tuesday also passed a landmark public financing law and in Ohio voters overwhelmingly backed a constitutional amendment that put an end to partisan gerrymandering in the state.
"There's a direct link between the big votes in Maine for accountable elections and Ohio for fair redistricting," Rapoport continued.
"Voters in Maine, like almost all Americans in both parties, are mad as hell about money in politics, so they stopped talking about the problem and did something about it," he added. "They sent a signal to Big Money that common sense rules governing our politics are possible, indeed essential if we're to have truly robust political debates, and that the people will pass them through citizen action if legislatures fail to act."
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