Participate in Your Government

Public Meetings & Hearings

Have your say in state and local government, by attending and participating in public meetings and hearings.

• Maine.gov Public Meeting Calendar
  
• Legislative Public Hearing Schedule
• Weekly Legislative Calendar
  All meetings on the calendar are open to the public.
• Guide to Participating in a Legislative Hearing
• Governor’s Office Public Hearings
• Department of Transportation Public Meetings & Comments
• Department of Conservation Public Meetings
• Department of Marine Resources Public Meetings
• Citizen’s Guide to a Town Meeting
  Have no fear! This guide explains how town meetings work and how you can participate, in user-friendly terms.

Contact Government Officials

Find out who your government leaders are and how to contact them.

• Find Your Elected Officials
  Lookup your Maine and US legislators based on your town or zip code.
• Governor and State Officials
  Contact information for the Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, and legislators.
• How to Write to Your Legislator
  Find out how to make your communications most effective.
• Maine County and Municipal Officials
• Ask the White House

Online Discussion Forums

Express your opinion on political issues and discuss issues with others online.

• E the People
  Public discussion forums, news, letters to officials, polls.
• Congress.org
  Post comments, write to your officials, track congressional bills and votes, find election information and news. Congress.org is a service of Capitol Advantage, a private, non-partisan company that specializes in facilitating civic participation.

Public Appointments

There are many opportunities to serve on state government boards and commissions. All appointments are made by the Governor; some appointments require confirmation by the Legislature.

• Membership on a State Board or Commission
• Types of Public Appointments
• List of Boards and Commissions
• Vacancies on Boards and Commissions
  

Run for Office

Get involved in your government directly by running for local or state office! Public service through elected office is among the oldest and noblest traditions in our democratic system.

• Candidate’s Guide
  Everything you need to know: What political offices are available, petitioning, requirements, restricted activities, political signs, campaign finance reporting.
• 2006 Candidate's Guide to the Maine Clean Election Act
  Critical information from the Maine Ethics Commission about campaign finance reporting and compliance with the Clean Election Act.
• Qualifying Contributions for Maine Clean Election Act Candidates Online Service
  You can use this service to support a candidate seeking public financing by making a $5 qualifying contribution, and support the Maine Clean Election Act program by making a general donation in any amount.
• Running for Local Offices
  Tips for municipal candidates, from the Maine Municipal Association.

Citizen Ballot Initiatives & People’s Veto

• Citizen Initiative Process
  Any registered Maine voter may circulate a petition to add a question to the ballot.
• People’s Veto Process
  Any registered Maine voter may cirtulate a "people's veto" referendum.
• Current Statewide Citizen Initiatives