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Show up.It's how Maine governs itself.

What Maine costs is decided one budget vote, one ballot question and one hearing at a time. So is the fix. Here's every way in.

  • Join

    Put your name down. It takes two minutes, and it's how we know who to call when a vote comes up.

    Join

  • Hearing alerts

    We'll tell you when a bill or an ordinance that matters is set for a hearing near you.

    Keep me posted

  • Testify

    Tell the Legislature or your council what a policy costs you. The guide is below, and we'll help.

    I will testify

How to testify

Five minutes that count.

Every bill gets a public hearing before the committee votes on it. That's your turn to speak, and it's easier than it looks.

  1. Find the hearing.

    Hearing schedules are on the Legislature's website, and you can sign up for email alerts on a bill or a committee. Read the bill before you go.

  2. Sign in and say who you are.

    Sign in when you arrive and mark that you want to testify. When you're called, give your name and your town.

  3. Say where you stand, then why.

    Say whether you support or oppose the bill, then what it would mean for you, your family, or your work. Keep it to three to five minutes, and stick to the facts.

  4. Leave it in writing.

    Bring 20 copies of written testimony if you testify in person, or email it to the committee clerk with the LD number and your position.

  5. Can't be there? Testify anyway.

    Many committees take testimony by video or in writing. The Legislature's sign-up page has the form.

At a city or town council, the same rules work: check the agenda ahead of time, find out how public comment is taken, say who you are and where you live, and keep it short.

Sources: Maine House of Representatives, Testifying before a committee; Maine Legislature, testimony and remote testimony sign-up

Find your legislators

Two people in Augusta work for you.

Every Mainer has one state senator and one state representative. Look them up on the Legislature's own pages, then call or write before the vote, not after.

Find your state senatorFind your state representative, by town

Three things you can do this month

  1. Show up to one council or committee meeting and ask what a program costs and what it has accomplished.

  2. Ask every elected official you meet whether they believe the government should run housing, energy, or health care, and listen for a straight answer.

  3. Join Mainers First.

Share

Send it to one person.

The fastest way this grows is one Mainer sending it to another. No tracking, no sign-in: your phone's share button, or a copied link.

Town meeting night

Same side of the room.

  • Join

    Put your name down. It takes two minutes.

    Join

  • Give

    Fund the fight in Augusta and at city hall.

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  • Hearing alerts

    Keep me posted on hearings and votes in my area.

    Keep me posted

  • Testify

    Tell the Legislature or your council what it costs you. We'll help you get in the room.

    I will testify.

Contributions or gifts to Mainers First are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.