Maine Ethics Commission – Augusta, ME

About the Maine Ethics Commission

The Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, commonly referred to as the Maine Ethics Commission, is an independent state agency headquartered in Augusta, Maine. Located on the second floor of the office building at 45 Memorial Circle, the Commission is the primary guardian of the state’s political integrity. It is responsible for administering Maine’s campaign finance laws, the Maine Clean Election Act, and the laws governing lobbyist disclosure.

Core Responsibilities

The Commission serves several vital functions to ensure transparency in government:

• Campaign Finance: It oversees the registration and financial reporting of candidates, political action committees (PACs), and ballot question committees.
• Maine Clean Election Act: The agency manages the public funding program for qualified candidates running for Governor and the Legislature.
• Lobbyist Disclosure: It maintains a public registry of lobbyists and their employers, ensuring that lobbying activities and expenditures are transparent.
• Investigations: The Commission has the authority to investigate alleged violations of ethics and election laws and can assess civil penalties for non-compliance.

Visiting the Commission

The Commission’s office is open to the public for assistance with filing reports, seeking guidance on ethics laws, or attending public meetings. The office is situated near the Memorial Circle rotary. Visitors should proceed to the 2nd Floor of the building. Parking is available in the lot accessed via Hichborn Street.

Public Meetings

The Commission consists of five members appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders. They meet regularly at the Augusta office to decide on enforcement matters and issue advisory opinions. These meetings are open to the public, providing an opportunity for citizens to witness the oversight process in action.