Maine Fines ActBlue $100,000 for Late Campaign Finance Report

Augusta, Maine — The Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices fined ActBlue $100,000 on Wednesday for filing a report two weeks late. This fine is one of the largest ever assessed by the commission and the highest for a registered political group missing a deadline.

The commission voted 4-0 to approve the penalty, reducing it significantly from a preliminary assessment of $683,731. Commission staff noted that ActBlue made an effort to complete the paperwork but failed to meet the deadline due to processing errors.

Jeff Hunter, an attorney for ActBlue, described the circumstances leading to the late filing as a ‘perfect storm.’ He explained that staffing issues and multiple deadlines contributed to the failure. ActBlue needed to submit its quarterly report by July 15, detailing $1.2 million in donations, but the report was only filed on July 29.

Jonathan Wayne, executive director of the ethics commission, said the initial fine was high due to the substantial amount of donations involved and the organization’s previous late filings. However, staff believed a higher penalty would be disproportionate to the infractions.

Following the meeting, Hunter expressed hope for better compliance in the future. ‘I don’t think you’re going to see us before you again with a late filing,’ he said. The fine represents the third-largest penalty imposed by the Maine ethics commission.

ActBlue, headquartered in Massachusetts, has been a significant fundraising platform for Democratic candidates, helping channel contributions to political campaigns across the country. Staff transitions following the 2024 elections may have influenced operational issues leading to the late report.