Maine Citizens for Clean Elections

04/17/2026

All of us at the League of Women Voters of Maine and Maine Citizens for Clean Elections offer heartfelt congratulations to the incomparable Betsy Sweet upon her retirement. And we offer gratitude to Betsy for her significant contributions as a stalwart champion of democracy, civil rights, and citizen engagement over her 44 year career.

Above all, we salute Betsy for her leadership in creating the Maine Clean Election Act, the first-in-the-nation full public funding system for candidates for state office passed by Maine voters in 1996. Our Clean Election system has allowed thousands of Maine people to step up to run, win, and serve. People from across the state and across the political spectrum have benefitted from the opportunity that Clean Elections provides.

It’s awfully easy to complain about money in politics, but it’s vanishingly rare for a person to actually try and do anything about it. From her vantage point as an advocate in the Maine legislature, Betsy saw the power of money up close, and she helped devise a solution that didn’t just clamp down, didn’t just restrict, but rather opened the door to opportunity to Maine people. She envisioned and helped to craft a whole new campaign finance system that puts people first, keeps voters at the center of elections, and makes our legislature more representative of Maine’s population.

Betsy has worked with generations of legislators under the dome in Augusta, but she has never lost sight of the real heart and soul of democracy — the people of Maine. Through her work outside of the State House, she has helped strengthen organizations to better meet their missions, and she has trained, rallied, mentored, challenged, and inspired generations of activists, students, candidates, voters and more to step into the arena and use their voices to make a better Maine. And she has stepped into the arena herself, again and again, reminding us of Justice Louis Brandeis’ famous observation that the most important office in a democracy is that of citizen.

So, kudos and congratulations to Maine’s exemplary citizen, Betsy Sweet! And thank you for all you’ve done to keep Maine’s democracy strong.

04/15/2026

Happy Tax Day! When big money dominates elections, trust in our system erodes, and the voices of everyday people are drowned out. As of March 1, the 50 highest-spending billionaire families have already contributed over $433 million to midterm campaigns. The single largest contributor is Elon Musk who has given millions to PACs in 2026 and spent nearly $250 million in 2024. Yet his net worth has grown 220%.

There are ways to fight money in politics here in Maine. We go to the source and ask them to pay their fair share. Tax fairness is good for a healthy democracy.

04/15/2026

Since the landmark decision in the Citizens United U.S. Supreme Court case, the rise of independent expenditures and lack of disclosure have created an ocean of dark money in politics.

This ruling allowed corporations and billionaires to spend without limits in U.S. elections, reshaping our political system into one that favors special interests. As of March 1, the 50 highest-spending billionaire families have already contributed over $433 million to midterm campaigns.

This Tax Day, we recognize that there are ways to fight money in politics here in Maine — we go after the source itself and .

03/11/2026

Money continues to pour into Maine's elections but one way to address that problem is to bridge the income inequality gap and tax the ultra-wealthy. That's why we're standing up for tax fairness. Tax fairness means those with more pay more, while those with less pay less. Asking wealthy individuals and corporations to pay their share is responsible and fair.

02/03/2026

We are beyond excited to announce our new Executive Director: Chrissy Hart. In this role, she brings together decades of global advocacy experience and a deep belief that a healthy democracy depends on informed, engaged, and empowered people—especially at the state and local level.

Chrissy has spent more than twenty years working at the intersection of policy, research, and action, helping turn big ideas into real-world impact. Her career spans global nonprofits, academic institutions, and the United Nations, where she has led initiatives to advance human rights, gender equality, and protections for children and marginalized communities. Welcome to the team, Chrissy!

12/27/2025

Can you help us over the finish line? With 2026 just around the corner, let's Double Down for Democracy!

We’re close to our goal.We are $5,000 away from reaching our fundraising goal for the end of the year. Donate now, and your contribution will be doubled, up to $35,000!

Donate now: https://www.lwvme.org/donatenow

11/23/2025

Another great opportunity at Democracy Maine. Apply for our Advocacy Director position today!

We are hiring! Check below for opportunities. Democracy Maine/League of Women Voters of Maine Advocacy Director   Democracy Maine and the League of Women Voters of Maine are a leading voice in Maine politics. We are the most influential nonpartisan, grassroots organization in Maine fighting for pro...

10/28/2025

We are excited to announce that we have launched a search for our next Executive Director. Democracy Maine and the League of Women Voters of Maine are a leading voice in Maine politics. We are the most influential nonpartisan, grassroots organization in Maine fighting for pro-democracy reforms, both through legislation in Augusta and by empowering individuals to enact local change in their own communities. Maine is a shining beacon of citizen-driven democracy reform, and you could help lead our next chapter.
We are currently accepting applications for this position. Learn more + apply at: democracymaine.org/jobs

07/09/2025

GOOD NEWS 🎉 — A District Court in Maryland has granted a preliminary injunction and ordered that the Trump administration must restore AmeriCorps funding to a broad coalition that sued over illegal cuts to grants. The lawsuit was filed by AmeriCorps grantees, sponsors, and service members, including Democracy Maine, a collaboration of the League of Women Voters of Maine Education Fund, Maine Citizens for Clean Elections, and Maine Students Vote.

“This ruling is a crucial victory for Mainers, for the rule of law, and for the principle of public service,” said Anna Kellar, Executive Director of Democracy Maine. “This injunction is a win in a continuing litigation process that underscores the importance of civic education work that is central to our mission.”

Democracy Maine filed suit in May with a broad coalition of nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations in federal court after being stripped of an AmeriCorps planning grant. Democracy Maine is one of several plaintiffs who joined the lawsuit to fight the unlawful blanket termination of AmeriCorps grants.

Democracy Maine was awarded a one-year grant from the federal government to develop civic education and engagement programs focused on rural counties where young people are especially disconnected from their communities and their government.

06/04/2025

Yesterday, the Maine House passed a bill that could double the contribution limits for privately funded candidates. LD 1229 as amended would create a loophole for candidates to receive twice as much money from a donor if they didn’t receive a contribution from that donor during the primary. That's not leveling the playing field. That's swamping campaigns with even more money.

We need to urge our Senators to vote NO. Click here to get started: https://mailchi.mp/lwvme/convention-2021-recap-the-links-the-recordings-the-good-times-14973639

03/10/2025

We will testify in support of LD 818 because Clean Elections allow more people to run for office, and expanding the usage of funds to include caregiving improves the equity of the program.