Kennebec Journal: Vote Yes on 1 to keep Maine’s elections free, fair

September 10, 2024

As a concerned citizen and someone who deeply values the integrity of our elections, I urge my fellow Mainers to vote yes on Question 1. This crucial measure will limit individual contributions to super PACs that spend money either in support of or in opposition to political candidates to $5,000. This is a reasonable and necessary limit to ensure that our elections are not dominated by the wealthiest few.

The Supreme Court has already upheld limits on direct contributions to candidates to prevent both the appearance and reality of quid pro quo corruption. These limits are in place because we understand the inherent danger of allowing large sums of money to influence our democratic process. The same principle must apply to political action committees. When wealthy individuals can contribute unlimited amounts to super PACs, it undermines the fairness of our elections and tilts the playing field in favor of those with the deepest pockets.

Question 1 is about protecting the voice of the average Mainer. Without this limit, our elections risk being bought and sold by out-of-state billionaires who have little to no connection to the needs and values of our communities. By voting yes on Question 1, we can help ensure that our elected officials are accountable to the people they serve, not to a handful of wealthy donors.

This is not just a matter of fairness; it’s about preserving the integrity of our democracy. Let’s stand together to keep Maine’s elections free, fair, and focused on the needs of our citizens, not on the whims of the super-rich. Vote yes on Question 1.

Jonathan Silverman

Augusta

Read here: centralmaine.com/2024/09/10/vote-yes-on-1-to-keep-maines-elections-free-fair/