SP173 declares that if Congress does not propose a constitutional amendment by December 31, 2026 to regulate money in politics-including increasing transparency, limiting the buying of political influence, and overturning Citizens United and related rulings-then Maine will formally apply for an Article V convention limited to that purpose. The application may be counted only with other state applications on this same topic and will remain active until two-thirds of states submit matching requests. The resolution also directs that authenticated copies be sent to Congress and every state legislature.
The Maine State Senate voted to uphold a committee recommendation "not to pass" SP173 on March 18, 2025 by a vote of 19 to 16. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because SP173 rightly rejects the push for a federal constitutional amendment that would restrict political speech under the guise of "campaign finance reform." Efforts to regulate or limit money in politics-whether through contribution caps, mandated disclosures, or overturning Citizens United-amount to government control over how Americans may speak, associate, and spend their own resources to influence elections. Such restrictions violate the First Amendment, and convert political participation into a privilege granted by the state rather than a God-given right. Moreover, empowering Washington to police "transparency" or "corruption" inevitably leads to greater federal surveillance of candidates, citizens, and grassroots organizations. Article I, Section 4 intentionally keeps the regulation of elections primarily at the state level, closer to the people. For the sake of preserving free political expression and resisting unconstitutional federal overreach, states should refuse to advance any Article V Con-Con campaign seeking to curtail Americans' ability to support the candidates and causes of their choosing.
United States Constitution
Article V
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
United States Constitution
Article VI
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
United States Constitution
10th Amendment
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
United States Constitution
First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
United States Constitution
Fifth Amendment
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
United States Constitution
14th Amendment Section 1
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
