The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for November 13, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
“Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office?” Almost 75% of Maine voters agreed with that statement November 5th, overwhelmingly passing ballot initiative Question 1. But its second act may be even more important.
The Conservative majority of the U.S. Supreme Court allowed unlimited contributions to SuperPACs by corporations and individuals in its Citizens United decision and subsequent rulings, as long as the spending was independent of the candidate. Attack ads not endorsed by the candidate are a common example.
Maine’s amendment will limit individual contributions to SuperPACs to be used for such independent expenditures to $5,000, and requires reporting of those contributions.
Big money donors will undoubtedly challenge the law, which is what Harvard Law money-in-politics expert Lawrence Lessig and his pro-voter group Equal Citizens expect. Lessig points to existing U.S. Supreme Court precedents upholding the right of states to set campaign contribution limits. In a 2023 statement, Lessig said, “I am confident that when the United States Supreme Court finally gets the chance to rule on the question, it will uphold Maine’s law, and thereby change the law governing SuperPACs across the nation.”
We have links to Maine’s Question 1 language and more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Ballotpedia – Maine Question 1, Limit Contributions to Super PACs Initiative (2024)
Maine Citizens to End SuperPACs – “An Act to Limit Contributions to Political Action Committees That Make Independent Expenditures”
Associated Press – A voter-approved Maine limit on PAC contributions sets the stage for a legal challenge
Equal Citizens – (2023) EqualCitizens.US Announces Maine Effort to Limit SuperPAC Contributions
Brennan Center for Justice – Since Citizens United, a Decade of Super PACs
Groups Taking Action:
Equal Citizens.Us, Maine Citizens to End SuperPACs, End Citizens United, Issue One
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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