A group of residents that includes current and former lawmakers has filed a federal lawsuit challenging a law passed by voters in November that restricts foreign spending in referendum campaigns.
The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Bangor by Jane Pringle, Kenneth Fletcher, Bonnie Gould, Brenda Garrand and Lawrence Wold against the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices and Attorney General Aaron Frey.
Pringle is a state representative from Windham, while Fletcher and Gould are former representatives from Winslow and Cornish, respectively.
The suit argues that the law approved by voters as Question 2 on the November ballot violates the freedom of speech, right to petition the government, and freedom of the press under the First and 14th amendments.
The law, which takes effect Jan. 5, prohibits any entity or business with at least 5% ownership by a foreign government or government-influenced entity from spending money on state or local elections.
The suit filed Wednesday is the fourth challenge to Question 2 to be brought against the ethics commission and attorney general in federal court this week. Other suits were filed by the utility companies that Question 2 was largely aimed at, and media organizations arguing that the new law would restrict political speech in violation of the First Amendment.
In response to inquiries about the lawsuits filed earlier this week, a spokesperson for the Office of the Maine Attorney General said that the office does not comment on pending litigation.
The executive director of the ethics commission said earlier this week that the commission was studying the earlier complaints and consulting with its counsel in the AG’s office.
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