In November 2023, Maine voters passed by a historic and resounding margin (86%) a ballot measure prohibiting foreign government-influenced corporations from unlimited spending in elections. That measure, codified under Maine law as 21-A M.R.S. § 1064, bans corporate political spending from foreign government-influenced corporations, defined as entities with a foreign government investor owning 5% or more of corporate stock – a threshold at which a foreign government can influence corporate governance and decisions. On the eve before the law was set to go into effect, the District Court of Maine temporarily blocked the law after a small group of corporations, press organizations, and some voters filed a challenge against it. The state swiftly appealed, seeking to vacate the district court’s ruling. The matter is currently pending before the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals. Free Speech For People filed an amicus brief in each of the lower and appellate court proceedings, and it will continue to support the state as it defends the law. I Key Facts II Background III Testimony in Support IV Major Developments and Documents Key Facts Caption Central Maine Power Company v. Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices Court US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit Docket No. 24-1265 Status Appeal Filed Plaintiffs Central Maine Power Company et al Defendants Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices et al Background The 2016 election showed that foreign interference in our elections is a serious problem. The news that at least one Russian company bought political ads on Facebook shows one way that foreign interests can use corporations to influence elections. But Facebook and Twitter are not the only way that foreign interests can use American companies to influence U.S. elections. Under current law, it is illegal for a foreign government or individual to spend money to influence state elections. The Supreme Court has upheld this law. But there is a loophole in the current law: if a corporation is registered in the United States, but it has significant foreign ownership, it can still spend money, or launder the money through a “super PAC,” to spend it in state and local elections. In November 2023, Maine voters passed by a historic and resounding margin (86%) a ballot measure prohibiting foreign government-influenced corporations from unlimited spending in elections. That measure, codified under Maine law as 21-A M.R.S. § 1064, bans corporate political spending from foreign government-influenced corporations, defined as entities with a foreign government investor owning 5% or more of corporate stock – a threshold at which a foreign government can influence corporate governance and decisions. On the eve before the law was set to go into effect, the District Court of Maine temporarily blocked the law after a small group of corporations, press organizations, and some voters filed a challenge against it. The state swiftly appealed, seeking to vacate the district court’s ruling. The matter is currently pending before the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals. Free Speech For People filed an amicus brief in each of the lower and appellate court proceedings, and it will continue to support the state as it defends the law. Learn more about challenging foreign influence in elections Testimony in Support Free Speech For People's Testimony In Support of LD 1610 (May 3, 2023) Major Developments and Documents District Court of Maine Central Maine Power Company Complaint (December 12, 2023) Maine Press Association and Maine Association of Broadcasters Compaint (December 12, 2023) Versant Power and Enmax Corporation Complaint (December 12, 2023) Pringle et al Complaint (December 13, 2023) Central Maine Power Company Motion for Temp. Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction (December 12, 2023) Maine Press Association et al Motion For Preliminary Injunction (December 12, 2023) Versant et al Motion for TRO and PL (December 12, 2023) Pringle et al Motion for TRO and PL (December 15, 2023) Order to Consolidate Cases (January 9, 2024) State Defendants' Opposition to Motions for Preliminary Relief (January 12, 2024) Free Speech For People Amicus Brief (January 12, 2024) Protect Maine Elections Amicus Brief (January 12, 2024) The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press Amicus Brief (January 22, 2024) Central Maine Pwer Company Reply Brief (January 31, 2024) Maine Press et al Reply Brief (January 31, 2024) Versant et al Reply Brief (January 31, 2024) Pringle et al Reply Brief (January 31, 2024) Order Granting the Preliminary Injunction (February 29, 2024) State's Notice of Appeal (March 15, 2024) Court of Appeals for the First Circuit State Brief (June 10, 2024) Free Speech For People's Amicus Brief (June 14, 2024)