This year, Maine Youth Power committed to endorsing 5-7 candidates in rural Maine. We did this because we know that when we elect folks that understand our lived experience, we can enact lasting change.
The candidates we endorse support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, they support Wabanaki sovereignty, they support increased racial justice and equity in Maine and they support the needs of young people.
Committing to elect folks that truly represent us is one of the ways that we are working for a future that works for all of us.
This is a year of hope, of grief, of growth and of learning — we’re excited to do it with you all.
Looking for our Candidate Endorsement Questionnaire? Keep scrolling or click here.
Why endorse candidates?
Our mission is to build power in Maine so that young people take decision making roles and build a future where we all thrive. This year, we are planning to turn out 10,000 young people to vote in Maine across districts. We see elections as an important tactic towards gaining influence in our state. By endorsing candidates running for state office, we are building allies in the statehouse and growing our representation in Augusta by getting movement candidates in positions of power. Though we are focusing on certain districts and Maine State candidates, all of our futures thrive when we elect candidates that will center our issues, identities and priorities in the government. While we are mobilizing as an organization to elect movement champions this year, our strategy is greater than 2024, as we look into the future and towards the type of policy we can enact in 2025, 2026 and the type of power we will hold as our base grows! Join us in electing rad and aligned movement candidates this spring for the primary on June 11th and summer and fall for the general election on November 5th.
Maine Youth Power is excited to endorse candidates for the state legislature this cycle. Founded in 2021, Maine Youth Power organizes young people across the state, focusing in rural and suburban areas. In 2022 we turned 7,000 rural young Mainers out to vote, and in 2024 we are planning for more.
As a youth founded and youth led organization, Maine Youth Power is committed to supporting and endorsing legislators who dream of a better future for Maine. Legislators committed to collective leadership models, who recognize that collaborating with movements strengthens all of our efforts to enact change. Maine Youth Power follows a set of core values that inform all of our work, and legislators that we endorse should share these values with our community.
Maine Youth Power organizes statewide, with membership in all major towns in Congressional District Two and beyond. We utilize relational and traditional organizing techniques and work with young people so that they understand why their vote matters and how they can engage with the legislative process. We recognize that young people want to live and work in Maine, but are often unable to do so due to a lack of affordable housing, jobs that pay a livable wage, and meaningful representation in decision making spaces.
To receive an endorsement, candidates must fill out the questionnaire in a way that reflects their commitment to the values that Maine Youth Power shares. A group of Maine Youth Power members will review the responses and decide whether to endorse the candidates or not. Before coming to a decision they may request meetings with candidates. Maine Youth Power will look at voting records when applicable.
After careful consideration, Maine Youth Power will endorse candidates, and inform them of their endorsement. At that time organizers will refer candidates to existing literature about what an endorsement looks like.
Some important information about this questionnaire:
To be considered for an endorsement in the November general, please submit it by May 6th.
A candidate must fill out the MYP questionnaire below in order to be eligible for an endorsement
Maine Youth Power thanks you for taking the time to complete this candidate questionnaire. Information shared in the questionnaire may be used on our website or social media to share candidate positions with our members and interested parties.
If you are unsure about your answers to any of these questions or would like more background information, please do not hesitate to contact Jane Dawson, our Policy & Endorsements Director at jane@maineyouthpower.org to discuss them.
To be considered for endorsement,
start the candidate questionnaire here
