Title 21-A, §1101: Maine Code of Fair Campaign Practices

§1101. Maine Code of Fair Campaign Practices

1. Distribution to candidates. At the time a candidate for the office of Governor, the Senate or the House of Representatives registers with the commission as required under section 1013‑A, the commission shall give the candidate a form containing a copy of the Maine Code of Fair Campaign Practices established in this subchapter. The commission shall, at that time, inform the candidate that subscription to the code is voluntary. For the purposes of this subchapter, "code" means the Maine Code of Fair Campaign Practices.

[PL 1989, c. 802, §1 (NEW).]

2. The code form. The code, printed on the form provided to candidates under subsection 1, must read as follows:

"Maine Code of Fair Campaign Practices

I shall conduct my campaign and, to the extent reasonably possible, insist that my supporters conduct themselves, in a manner consistent with the best Maine and American traditions, discussing the issues and presenting my record and policies with sincerity and candor.

I shall uphold the right of every qualified voter to free and equal participation in the election process.

I shall not participate in and I shall condemn defamation of and other attacks on any opposing candidate or party that I do not believe to be truthful, provable and relevant to my campaign.

I shall not use or authorize and I shall condemn material relating to my campaign that falsifies, misrepresents or distorts the facts, including, but not limited to, malicious or unfounded accusations creating or exploiting doubts as to the morality, patriotism or motivations of any party or candidate.

I shall not appeal to and I shall condemn appeals to prejudices based on actual or perceived race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, age or familial status.

I shall not practice and I shall condemn practices that tend to corrupt or undermine the system of free election or that hamper or prevent the free expression of the will of the voters.

I shall promptly and publicly repudiate the support of any individual or group that resorts, on behalf of my candidacy or in opposition to that of an opponent, to methods in violation of the letter or spirit of this code.

I, the undersigned, candidate for election to public office in the State of Maine, hereby voluntarily endorse, subscribe to and solemnly pledge to conduct my campaign in accordance with the above principles and practices.

______________________

Candidate for Public Office"

[PL 2021, c. 553, §14 (AMD).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1989, c. 802, §1 (NEW). PL 2021, c. 553, §14 (AMD).