The editorial of Oct. 6 needs correction and clarification. The Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices did order Maine Leads to disclose expenses related to ballot initiatives, contrary to the editorial. The attorney for Maine Leads says this disclosure will include names of donors. The disclosure was ordered due to the facts of this case, not the statutes governing ballot question committees.

In general, the ethics commission cannot compel disclosure of funding for organizations like Maine Leads — called ballot question committees — unless the money they raise or spend is tied to a specific ballot initiative.