Last week, I was proud to join a bipartisan group of Maine lawmakers and citizens that included Republican State Senator Rick Bennett, former Republican House Leader Ken Ferdette, former independent State Senator Dick Woodbury, and others to establish a ballot initiative that seeks to eliminate foreign influence and corruption in our elections.
Earlier this year, Sen. Bennett, the lead petition signer on our initiative, sponsored a bill to prohibit foreign government-owned entities from influencing our elections which serves as the model for our ballot initiative. The bill, LD 194, was approved by strong bipartisan majorities in the Legislature but was vetoed by Governor Mills.
Maine elections belong to Mainers, and not to wealthy foreign interests. That is why I believe this fight is so important and why I have signed on to manage the campaign. Earlier this year I sponsored a bill tackling these same issues, LD 479. The new initiative shares many of its key provisions.
The ballot initiative, “An Act to Prohibit Foreign Influence in Maine Elections and Promote an Anti-Corruption Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,” has several components:
Prohibit donations and disbursements by foreign governments, foreign government-owned entities, and foreign government-influenced entities in ballot measure and candidate campaigns.
Require disclaimers on ads spending by these foreign entities that seek to influence public policy so Mainers know which communications are paid for by foreign entities.
Mandate that traditional and new media outlets regulate advertisements to avoid violations of this law and require that they remove prohibited communications when identified and notify the Maine Ethics Commission of such violations of law.
Reaffirm Maine’s support for an anti-corruption amendment to the U.S. Constitution and call on Maine’s federal delegation to support the amendment so states like Maine have the power to fully regulate and fight corruption in campaign finance laws.
We are all tired of foreign governments and wealthy interests abroad playing games with our elections. Our initiative seeks to end these games and close loopholes that allow foreign governments to invade our elections and seek to manipulate outcomes.
Proponents must now collect the signatures of over 63,000 registered Maine voters to place this citizens’ initiative on the ballot. The signatures must be collected by January to place the question on the 2022 ballot or by early 2023 to place the question on the November 2023 ballot.
As my colleague Sen. Bennett told reporters when we filed this initiative, “This is a fight we must win to preserve the integrity of our democracy for future generations.”
I couldn’t agree more. Regardless of your position on any other issue, this is one where we can come together as Republicans, Democrats and independents to put Maine first.
The lead signers on the initiative include two Republicans, two Democrats and two independents, demonstrating the broad cross-partisan support that exists among the Maine people for upholding election integrity.
As always, you are welcome to email me with questions or to learn how you can make a difference in this important fight at kylerobertbailey@gmail.com.
My work on behalf of the citizens of Gorham does not end when the Legislature convenes. There is far too much work to be done to make our democracy safe and secure for future elections. I hope that you will keep in the fight with me for a better future. I know that Maine’s best days are still ahead of us if we are willing to think differently and act boldly.
Rep. Kyle Bailey, D-Gorham, is serving his first term in the Maine House of Representatives. You can reach him by emailing kyle.bailey@legislature.maine.gov or calling (207) 939-8600.