Victory! Maine becomes the first state to eliminate super PACs

Latest Developments

New Polling Shows Perception of Biden’s Presidency Would Soar If He Publishes the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Posted on December 11, 2024

The ERA was approved by Congress in 1972 and ratified by 38 states in 2020. A new national alliance is urging President Biden to instruct the National Archivist to certify and publish the ERA as the 28th Amendment without delay. WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 11, 2024)— Data For Progress released a new poll today showing strong
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Senators Demand Presidential Policy Directive Against Unlawful Mobilization of Military

Posted on December 6, 2024

Challenging Corruption

Earlier this week, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal, both members of the Senate’s Armed Services Committee, urged President Biden to issue a policy directive to prohibit the unlawful mobilization of our military against Americans. The letter explains that a long-standing law prohibits any part of the Armed Forces from executing the law absent Constitutional
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Civil Rights and Democracy Groups Join Forces to Oppose Preemptive Recess Appointments

Posted on December 5, 2024

Challenging Corruption

WASHINGTON D.C. – Free Speech For People joined 70 national civil rights and pro-democracy organizations in sending a joint letter to the Senate, demanding that it uphold its critical constitutional responsibility to advise and consent on presidential nominations to the executive and judicial branches. The letter delivery was organized and led by People For the
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On November 5, 2024, an overwhelming majority of Mainers voted to limit annual contributions to super PACs from individuals, businesses, and other PACs to $5,000 in a calendar year. Free Speech For People has helped lead the movement to end super PACs nationwide and strongly endorsed this initiative. We congratulate Maine Citizens to End SuperPACs and Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig on this great victory for our democracy!

By definition, super PACs exist by accepting unlimited contributions, which, with certain super PACs, have included multi-million dollar gifts. The initiative passed on Tuesday addresses quid pro quo corruption and the appearance of corruption created by these contributions. In other words, a $5,000 contribution limit effectively eliminates super PACs.

This is just the beginning. Passing this initiative puts us on the road to overturning the disastrous 2010 decision by the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit in SpeechNow v. FEC, which created super PACs in federal elections. It’s a major step towards a democracy without the influence of big money, where our government works by and for we, the people.

Learn more about Free Speech For People’s work to challenge super PACs.