1. Ratification of Minutes of October 30, 2019 Meeting
2. Audits of 2018 Maine Clean Election Act Candidates
The Commission’s auditors will present the audits of the three 2018 candidates for Governor who participated in the Maine Clean Election Act program: Terry Hayes, Garrett Mason, and Betsy Sweet.
3. Potential Finding of Violation and Penalty – Mills Inaugural Committee
The Commission will receive an update on the financial disclosure statements and fundraising by the inaugural committee of Gov. Janet T. Mills, and may take action concerning the committee’s acceptance of donations after the January 31 fundraising limitation in Title 1, § 1051(4).
4. Request for Waiver of Late-Filing Penalty – Unite Portland PAC
Unite Portland was a political action committee formed to oppose Ethan Strimling’s re-election as Mayor of Portland in the November 5, 2019 election. The PAC was late in filing two independent expenditure reports (IE) for Facebook advertisements and advocacy videos posted on the PAC’s website and Facebook page. The preliminary late-filing penalties total $7,052.16. The PAC requests a waiver of the late-filing penalties, explaining that the PAC’s principal officer and treasurer were unaware of the need to file IE reports in addition to the PAC’s regular campaign finance reports. Ethan Strimling’s campaign argues for a penalty of $29,551.68. Staff recommendation: the staff recommends reducing the penalties to a total of $2,000.
- Additional Material: Unite Portland's Letter dated 12/13/2019
- Additional Material: Strimling for Mayor Campaign's Letter dated 12/17/2019
5. Request for Waiver of Late-Filing Penalty – Philip Spiller
Philip Spiller was a candidate for Mayor of Westbrook in the November 5, 2019 election. He was late in filing three 24-Hour Reports. The municipal clerk advised him of the preliminary penalties totaling $2,395.28, and referred the matter to the Commission for consideration of a penalty waiver. Mr. Spiller requests a waiver of the penalties, because he was a first-time candidate who took over the treasurer’s duties unexpectedly. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the three penalties to a total of $900.
Other Business
Adjournment