“No more unlimited money. No more anonymous influence. No more fake representation.”
Augusta, ME — July 23 — American Promise, the cross-partisan organization working to make government accountable to voters—not money—today spotlighted public testimony in support of a constitutional amendment to address the crisis of money in politics. The testimony was released by the Maine Ethics Commission, and arrives just days after federal judges struck down two Maine voter-approved campaign finance reform laws: one limiting foreign money in state elections and another that set a cap on Super PAC donations.
“We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support we continue to see from Mainers for an amendment to fix our country’s campaign finance crisis. Their testimony is moving and, at times, intense. I encourage every lawmaker to read it,” said Chris Cayer, director of organizing at American Promise and a Maine resident. “In the last two weeks, federal courts may have blocked their will, but clearly, Mainers will not be silenced. Their voices are part of a growing national demand for a government that represents people, not money.”
According to the Commission, 61 Mainers submitted comments, a record for the agency on any matter of public policy. Of those, 60 supported the proposed amendment.
All submitted testimony can be seen here and includes:
State Senator Rick Bennett: “It is time to take our republic back from the carnival of corruption it has become – a carnival where immense cash flows from special interest groups, foreign actors, and transnational corporations fund armies of lobbyists, political consultants, and media companies … this is the reform Americans care most about, and fortunately, it is one we can solve by joining together in support of a constitutional amendment.”
State Senator Nicole Grohoski: “Voters in my district, and indeed around the state, are sick and tired of having their voices silenced by millions of dollars in dark money political ads each election cycle … I hope our Congressional Delegation will listen to Maine voters and support such an amendment.”
Maine resident Charles Ordway: “I am not a lawmaker. I am not a billionaire. I am the governed. I am the taxed. I am the ignored. And I am done being quiet … No more unlimited money. No more anonymous influence. No more fake representation.”
Maine resident David Trahan: “People in Maine have seen their elections dominated by big money from outside sources. And this spending has real consequences. In 2020, Maine saw a $200 million Senate race, and it was like we were 20 feet under snow in an avalanche and no one could hear us …As an average Mainer, it’s nearly impossible to compete with billionaires, but what they can’t buy with money is the deep love and passion we feel for the outdoors and the freedom that our constitution guarantees.”
Maine resident Steve Turner: “We can show the world that we Americans are the tools, toadies, lackeys, and lickspittles of nobody. We can show the world that we Americans are the proud citizens, stewards, and guardians of what once was—and can be again—the greatest Representative Democracy on Earth. We have the chance to show the world that we ARE who we SAY we are.”
Maine is one of an increasing number of states that have passed formal resolutions calling for a constitutional amendment to address the influence of money in politics. American Promise has helped drive this momentum nationally. Most recently, Utah became the 23rd state to urge Congress to propose an amendment returning the power to regulate election spending to the states.
The Commission’s annual report stems from Question 2, the 2023 ballot initiative passed with 86% support—Maine’s widest referendum margin ever. While a federal court blocked enforcement of its foreign money ban, the measure’s call for Maine’s congressional delegation to support a constitutional amendment restoring states’ power to limit money in elections remains entirely in effect.
American Promise released statements on the First Circuit’s decision to strike down Maine’s law foreign entities law and on the district court decision to block Maine’s super PAC law.
“The last two weeks of federal court rulings have made clear what we and Mainers have long known: the solution to the crisis of money in politics is a constitutional amendment that puts Congress and the states back in charge of how our elections are funded,” said Jeff Clements, co-founder and CEO of American Promise. “The courts continue to make it clear that only a constitutional amendment can restore voters’ authority to protect representative self-government from the domination of big money and foreign influence.”
About American Promise
After a series of Supreme Court decisions including Citizens United, which opened the floodgates to unlimited political spending, Americans have watched money speak louder than their votes. American Promise is a cross-partisan, citizen-led organization working to pass the For Our Freedom Amendment, to restore the power of Congress and the states to set reasonable limits on campaign spending. With 23 states already signaling support, American Promise is building a national movement to put voters back at the center of our democracy.
