Action 135 – “86” Citizens United!
Background: In 2023, Maine voters voted 86% * in favor of prohibiting foreign governments and entities from spending money on our elections and ballot questions. In November 2024, we also voted around 75% to put a $5000 limit on individual contributions to Super PACs. But neither of those referenda decisions have been enforced due to lawsuits challenging their legality. (1) Eventually what will likely be needed is a Constitutional Amendment to undo the Supreme Court’s awful Citizens United decision of 2010 (2), which allows corporations (and unions, the few that remain) to spend unlimited funds on elections. (Susan Collins opposes such an amendment, another reason to defeat her.) As we explained in Action 129, a Constitutional Convention to get this amendment approved could be dangerously risky in today’s divided nation. So, we are left with the cumbersome but effective process that has been used for all other Constitutional Amendments. The Maine Ethics Commission (3) would like us to weigh in (4), and American Promise (5) has information and suggestions on how to do it and what you might say. (6)
Action: Click on extra credit item (6) and use the information therein as guidance to add your voice. Our democracy is suffering at the hands of the ultra-rich plutocrats and sociopaths. Let’s apply resolute pressure to get Citizens United overturned.
Urgency: The deadline to submit comments is June 20
Extra Credit:
(1) https://mainemorningstar.com/2025/01/13/maine-legislature-eyes-campaign-finance-reforms-as-court-weighs-voter-backed-referenda/
(2)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_v._FEC#:~:text=The%20Citizens%20United%20ruling%20represented,super%20PACs%2C%20and%20McCutcheon%20v
(3) https://www.maine.gov/ethics/
(5) https://americanpromise.net
* total coincidence that we voted 86% when “86” is restaurant slang for take it off the menu!