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Contributions and Expenditures

Under Maine Election Law, party committees may accept contributions from any source, including unions and corporations. There is no limitation on the amount of a contribution that may be made to a party committee.

Contributors may not "earmark" contributions in excess of the $250 or $500 contribution limit by contributing to a candidate indirectly through a party committee. Also, when the Legislature is convened, no lobbyist or employer may make a contribution to the Governor, constitutional officer, or a member of the Legislature indirectly through a party committee.

Party committees may make expenditures in support of or in opposition to a candidate's election. Expenditures made in consultation or in cooperation with a candidate's campaign are considered contributions to the candidate. These must be reported as expenditures by the party committee and as contributions by the candidate. Contributions to candidates certified under the Maine Clean Election Act are prohibited. Contributions to traditionally financed candidates are subject to the $250 and $500 limitations.

An expenditure of more than $100 per candidate made in support of or in opposition to a candidate independently of the candidate must be reported in an Independent Expenditure Report filed with the Commission if it qualifies as an independent expenditure.

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