U.S. District Court Narrows Maine’s Ban on Campaign Spending by Foreign Government-Influenced Entities

On September 30, 2026, the U.S. District Court for Maine granted plaintiffs’ motion for judgment in pleading in part, and denied it in part, in Central Maine Power Co. v. Maine Comm’n on Gov’t Ethics and Election Practices. In effect, the Court held that certain aspects of Maine’s foreign money ban were unconstitutional, while noting that its ban on direct campaign spending by foreign governments and its related disclaimer requirements were likely constitutional and severable.