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Home > MCEA > Non-participating Candidates

Privately Financed Candidates with Maine Clean Election Act Opponents

In addition to reports filed by other candidates, privately financed candidates with a Maine Clean Election Act (MCEA) opponent may have to file additional reports so that the Ethics Commission can determine whether the opponent is entitled to receive matching funds.

Trigger Report

Legislative candidates are required to file a Trigger Report stating the candidate's total campaign contributions, expenditures, and obligations for the election if they:

  • are not participating in the MCEA;
  • have a MCEA opponent in an election; and
  • receive, spend, or obligate more than the amount of the MCEA opponent's initial distribution.

MCEA Initial Distributions

Primary

House Candidates - $1,504
Senate Candidates - $7,746

General

House Candidates - $4,144
Senate Candidates - $19,078

Please note that the above numbers reflect a 5% reduction in initial distribution amounts for the upcoming general election in November. This change is part of the budget recently enacted by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. The payment amounts for the primary election have not been changed.

Accelerated Reports

A candidate who files a Trigger Report is also required to file Accelerated Reports, but only the reports with deadlines that occur after the candidate files the Trigger Report.

For the 2008 primary election, the Accelerated Reports will be due:

42-Day Report - April 29, 2008
18-Day Report - May 23, 2008
6-Day Report - June 4, 2008

For the 2008 general election, the Accelerated Reports will be due:

42-Day Report - September 23, 2008
18-Day Report - October 17, 2008
6-Day Report - October 29, 2008

24-Hour Reports

All candidates must file a 24-Hour Report of contributions aggregating more than $1,000 from a single source during the 24-Hour Report period, whether their opponent is a MCEA or privately financed candidate. A privately financed candidate who is required to file a Trigger Report must also file a 24-Hour Report with the Commission of any any single expenditure or obligation of $1,000 or more by a candidate for Governor, any single expenditure or obligation of $750 or more by a candidate for State Senator, or any single expenditure or obligation of $500 or more by a candidate for State Representative made:

  • from May 28, 2008 until 5:00 p.m. on June 9, 2008, or
  • from October 22, 2008 until 5:00 p.m. on November 3, 2008.

The report must be filed within 24 hours of receiving the contribution or making the expenditure or obligation, including Saturday or Sunday.