YouTube video of July 23, 2025 Commission Meeting
1. Ratification of the Minutes of the May 28, 2025 Meeting
Motion: To ratify the May 28, 2025 minutes as amended
Made by: Commissioner Schneider
Seconded by: Commissioner Marble
Vote: 4-0
2. Request for Investigation – School Construction Referenda in Cape Elizabeth
In April, the Commission received a complaint asking the Commission to investigate whether the Cape Elizabeth school department qualified as a ballot question committee with respect to 2024 and 2025 school construction referenda. The school department responded that advertising in the local newspaper was to engage and educate members of the public, consistent with direction from the School Board and Town Council. The Commission will review legal memos concerning the applicability of the ballot question committee reporting requirements to municipal entities.
Additional Material - Lynch-Benoit Response
Motion: To take no further action on the complaint
Made by: Commissioner Schneider
Seconded by: Commissioner Hastings
Vote: 4-0
3. Proposed Investigation – Potential Coordinated Spending
In the course of assisting a party committee with campaign finance reporting, the Commission staff received preliminary information indicating the party committee may have made an expenditure to rebroadcast some paid radio messages of several 2024 legislative candidates. The Commission staff proposes gathering more information through an investigation to determine if any contributions received by the candidates complied with legal requirements and (if not) whether the noncompliance was inadvertent or intentional.
Motion: To authorize staff to investigate the matter
Made by: Commissioner Schneider
Seconded by: Commissioner Marble
Vote: 3-0 (Commissioner LeClaire abstained)
Commissioner Dennis Marble will update the Commission on the working group formed to simplify campaign finance reporting deadlines close to a general election.
The Commission will consider whether to initiate a rulemaking by inviting comments from the public on rule amendments drafted by staff.
Motion: To proceed with the Rulemaking and solicit public comments
Made by: Commissioner Schneider
Seconded by: Commissioner Hastings
Vote: 4-0
6. Report on Campaign Finance Constitutional Amendments
The Commission will review a draft 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.
Motion: To approve the publication of the report
Made by: Commissioner Schneider
Seconded by: Commissioner Marble
Vote: 4-0
Other Business - none
Executive Session - none
ADJOURNMENT - 9:51 a.m.
Motion: To adjourn
Made by: Commissioner Hastings
Seconded by: Commissioner Schneider
Vote: 4-0