On August 5, MHPC, together with the James Madison Center for Free Speech, filed suit in the U.S. District Court in Portland, challenging Maine’s Clean Election Law and in particular its matching funds provision. I’m acting as local counsel in the matter. The Plaintiffs are Rep. Andre Cushing of Hampden and a retired legislator from Scarborough, Harold Clough.

If you’ve been watching the news, you probably realize that the US Supreme Court is poised to hear a case challenging Arizona’s matching funds provision, which is highly similar to Maine’s. Over the past month, federal courts have also struck down matching funds provisions in Connecticut and Florida. While Maine’s matching funds provision was upheld by the First Circuit Court in 2000, subsequent Supreme Court cases, as well as these recent developments, cast serious doubt on the continuing viability of Maine’s law.

For a look at the plaintiffs’ complaint, go here.

For a look at the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction, go here.