YouTube video of May 28, 2025 Commission Meeting
1. Ratification of the Minutes of the April 30, 2025 Meeting
Motion: To ratify the April 30, 2025 minutes
Made by: Commissioner LeClaire
Seconded by: Commissioner Hastings
Vote: 4-0
2. Request for Investigation – School Construction Referenda in Cape Elizabeth
Robert Benoit and Mary Ann Lynch filed a complaint asking the Commission to investigate whether the Cape Elizabeth school department was required to register and file campaign finance reports as a ballot question committee. They believe the school department made expenditures of more than $5,000 for newspaper advertisements and related costs for the purpose of influencing November 5, 2024 and June 10, 2025 school construction referenda. The school department responds that these costs were undertaken to engage and educate members of the public, consistent with direction given by the School Board and Town Council to a School Building Advisory Committee. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends taking no further action on the complaint.
Additional Material - Letter from Elizabeth Biermann
Additional Material - Cape Elizabeth Contracts
Additional Material - Request for Continuance
Additional Materials submitted 05/28/2025
Motion: To move that the Commission would take testimony today which will close the evidence and defer the decision on the complaint until the Commission has had a chance to analyze the law further.
Made by: Commissioner Schneider
Seconded by: Commissioner Hastings
Vote: 4-0
3. Report on Campaign Finance Constitutional Amendments
On November 7, 2023, Maine voters approved Question 2 which proposed a new section of Maine Election Law forbidding foreign governments from making expenditures or contributions to influence candidate or ballot question elections in Maine. The question also directed the Commission to issue an annual report on proposals in the U.S. Congress to amend the federal constitution to allow for greater regulation of how money is raised and spent to influence elections. The Commission will confirm procedures to be used for the 2025 report.
Executive Session (if necessary)
Other Business
ADJOURNMENT