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Friend,
Across the nation, citizen leaders are celebrating local successes as they advance the American Promise Amendment to get big money out of politics. In Maine, a U.S. Senate race that is drawing record campaign contributions—many from out-of-state interest groups and other big-dollar donors—also is renewing calls for a constitutional amendment to reduce the influence of big money in elections.
Stand with Maine is a citizen-led campaign seeking to urge Maine representatives to end the domination of big money and return representation in Maine to voters, not out-of-state special interests. In a recent petition-gathering effort on Super Tuesday, when Mainers headed to the polls, volunteers collected nearly 1,000 signatures. Maine citizens can also sign the petition online here.
Maine is just one example of citizens standing together against a big-money system robbing them of their voices. They join fellow citizen leaders in Alaska, Minnesota, Texas, Virginia and many more states who are working together every day to make the changes we need across our states and our nation.
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Azor Cole
State Manager, American Promise
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A Cross-Partisan Group of Maine Politicians Calls for the 28th Amendment
Since the Maine Legislature approved a resolution in 2013 calling for a constitutional amendment to limit outside money in local elections, Congress hasn’t acted on it. Now, three former state lawmakers—one Republican, one Democrat, and one independent—are calling for Mainers to stand up and renew their call for change in our political system.
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Share this newsletter with your friends in Maine! Maine is in the midst of its most expensive U.S. Senate election, driven by out-of-state campaign donations. If you know someone who lives in Maine, encourage them to join the movement for a constitutional amendment to limit the influence of big money in politics by sharing the Stand with Maine page and petition. Let’s all Stand with Maine!
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American Promise President Jeff Clements met with the Juneau League of Women Voters during a visit to Alaska last year.
Election Transparency Initiative Approved for Alaska Ballot
Thanks to the tireless work of citizen leaders in Alaska, voters there will have the opportunity to enhance the transparency of the state’s election system. A ballot initiative that includes the American Promise Amendment to limit the influence of big money in politics was certified this week by the Alaska Division of Elections. Last year, volunteers gathered signatures from more than 41,000 Alaskans calling for the ballot initiative—well beyond the 29,000 required.
Alaskans for Better Elections Campaign Manager Shea Siegert says the certification is “a big win for Alaskans who believe in the right to a more fair, transparent, and honest system of electing their leaders.”
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| What We’re Tracking This Week
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From The Michael Smerconish Program: Author Neal Simon recently appeared on this Sirius XM radio show to discuss his new book, Contract to Unite America. In the book, he offers 10 democracy reform proposals, including a call for the American Promise Amendment to reduce the influence of money in politics. Listen to the show.
From the Bangor Daily News: A highly contested U.S. Senate race in Maine is drawing record donations, many from out of state. Recent campaign finance reporting shows that incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, had raised nearly $2.3 million in the most recent quarter for her re-election bid. Her likely Democratic opponent, Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon, collected $3.5 million during that quarter. Read more.
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From Delaware Online: In an opinion article, Judith Butler of American Promise Delaware says the 75% of Americans who want big money out of politics can make a difference by supporting a constitutional amendment to address the effects of Citizens United. Read more.
From The Fulcrum: The Federal Election Commission may restore the quorum that has stopped it convening since September. Nominee Trey Trainor had a confirmation hearing this week before the Senate Rules Committee, which appears likely to approve his nomination. In response to the hearing, Republicans emphasized the importance of restoring functionality to the FEC while Democrats criticized Trainor’s history of opposing disclosure of political spending. Read more.
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| Upcoming American Promise Events
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April 15, Juneau, AK: Join fellow democracy reform advocates for a screening of “Dark Money,” a documentary about the effects of corporate money and its influence in the American political system that uses Montana as a case study. A discussion will follow the film screening. Snacks and refreshments provided. 6 p.m.-8 p.m., McPhetres Hall, Church of the Holy Trinity. Learn more.
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American Promise empowers Americans to act together to win the 28th Amendment so people, not money, govern in America.
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