Steve Mistler
11/1/22
(Maine Public) A group hoping to bar foreign governments from electioneering in Maine referendum campaigns submitted petitions Tuesday to put its proposal on next year’s ballot. The citizens’ initiative appears relatively straightforward, but it could have far-reaching implications for Maine companies partially owned by foreign governments — including at least one of the state’s two main electric utilities. The group Protect Maine Elections could not have asked for better timing. As volunteers gathered in the State House Hall of Flags to present more than 80,000 signatures to the secretary of state, $127 million had already been spent on Maine election contests this year, flooding the airwaves with negative ads.