On November 7, 2023, Maine voters overwhelmingly passed Question 2, closing a campaign finance loophole that allowed foreign-owned entities to purchase influence in Maine referendum campaigns.

Question 2: “Do you want to ban foreign governments and entities that they own, control, or influence from making campaign contributions or financing communications for or against candidates or ballot questions?”

Question 2 would eliminate foreign influence in Maine elections by instituting new restrictions on foreign governments from spending in Maine elections.

A FEC loophole allows foreign entities to engage in PAC spending on ballot questions. In 2021, a Canadian-owned pipeline funneled $22 million into a ballot question – more than doubling the previous record for referendum spending – brought by Maine voters to oppose an unpopular pipeline. Even though they were defeated at the ballot, foreign government interference in elections threatens democracy and national security.

After hearing from thousands of voters in support of the measure, the 131st Legislature enacted the bill with broad bipartisan support on July 6, 2023. However, despite that support in the legislature and near universal support among voters, the Governor vetoed LD 1610 and the Legislature failed to override the veto. The voters decided the fate of this measure in the form of Question 2 on the November 2023 ballot.

RepresentUs is working with Protect Maine Elections a Coalition that includes partners like the Democracy Maine, Maine Citizens for Clean Elections, Stand with Maine, and Maine Unitarian Universalist State Advocacy Network to ensure foreign governments are limited in their ability to influence campaigns and elections.