MAINE PUBLIC • December 13, 2023
An initiative passed by voters that bans foreign governments and affiliated organizations from spending on state and local referendum campaigns is being challenged in federal court. The suits were filed by Central Maine Power and Versant, and jointly by the Maine Press Association and the Maine Association of Broadcasters. The utilities claim the new law infringes on their right of free speech. The media lawsuit say the law's requirement "imposes a censorship mandate on news outlets." Maine state Sen. Rick Bennett, who chaired a group supporting the foreign campaign ban, said the board members of the companies and media outlets "ought to be ashamed of themselves." They are enabling foreign governments "to threaten the integrity of our elections."