In November 2023, Maine voters passed by a resounding margin (86%) a ballot measure prohibiting foreign government-influenced corporations from unlimited spending in elections. The challenged provision bans corporate political spending from foreign government-influenced corporations, defined as those 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. In December 2023, corporations, press organizations, and some voters, filed challenges to the law in federal court. The cases have since been consolidated. In January 2024, Free Speech For People filed an amicus brief in defense of Maine’s new law prohibiting foreign government influence in state and local elections. 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 resounding margin (86%) a ballot measure prohibiting foreign government-influenced corporations from unlimited spending in elections. The challenged provision bans corporate political spending from foreign government-influenced corporations, defined as those 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. In January 2024, Free Speech For People filed an amicus brief in opposition to corporations, press organizations, and some voters who, in December 2023, filed challenges to law in federal court and asked that it be enjoined. The cases have since been consolidated. 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 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)