Sec. 1. 21-A MRSA §1125, sub-§7, ¶¶A and B, as enacted by IB 1995, c. 1, §17, are repealed.

Sec. 2. 21-A MRSA §1125, sub-§8, ¶¶A, B and C, as enacted by IB 1995, c. 1, §17, are amended to read:

A. For contested primary elections, the amount of revenues to be distributed is the average amount of campaign expenditures made by each candidate during all contested primary election races for the immediately preceding 2 primary elections as reported in the initial filing period subsequent to the primary election for the respective offices of Governor, State Senate and State House of Representatives. These revenues must be distributed when the revenues for a contested general election are distributed.

B. For uncontested primary elections, the amount of revenues distributed is the average amount of campaign expenditures made by each candidate during all uncontested primary election races, or for contested races if that amount is lower, for the immediately preceding 2 primary elections as reported in the initial filing period subsequent to the primary election for the respective offices of Governor, State Senate and State House of Representatives. These revenues must be distributed when the revenues for a contested general election are distributed.

C. For contested general elections, the amount of revenues distributed is the average amount of campaign expenditures made by each candidate during all contested general election races for the immediately preceding 2 general elections as reported in the initial filing period subsequent to the general election for the respective offices of Governor, State Senate and State House of Representatives, except that at least $4,500 must be distributed.

SUMMARY

This bill eliminates funding for primary elections under the Maine Clean Election Act. It adds this funding to funding for general election races. It provides minimum funding of $4,500 for a contested general election race.