Matching Funds

Maine Clean Election Act (MCEA) candidates may receive matching funds based on their opponents' contributions and expenditures, and independent expenditures made by third-parties. The purpose of matching funds is to ensure that a candidate participating in the MCEA will not be greatly outspent by private campaign funds of a non-participating opponent or by independent expenditures.

To determine whether a MCEA candidate is entitled to matching funds, the Commission will add the opponent's contributions or expenditures (whichever is greater) plus the independent expenditures made in favor of the opponent or against the MCEA candidate. If that sum is more than the amount of the initial distribution received by the MCEA candidate, he or she will receive matching funds.

The maximum amount of matching funds a candidate may receive is twice the amount of the initial distribution for the election. For example, if a 2008 candidate for State Representative receives an initial distribution of $4,144 for the 2008 general election, the maximum amount the candidate could receive in matching funds for the election would be $8,288.

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Matching Funds