After nearly 8 years, Executive Director Anna Kellar is leaving Democracy Maine and the League of Women Voters of Maine. Their last day will be September 12. Al Cleveland, the organizations’ Advocacy Director, will serve as interim Executive Director during the transition period until a new permanent E.D. is chosen.
“It’s been the greatest honor and privilege to lead this organization,” said Kellar. “I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made to ensure that everyday people are first and foremost in our elections and government. Democracy Maine and the League are in the good hands of our very engaged board, staff, members and grassroots leaders.”
During their tenure, under Kellar’s leadership, Democracy Maine has had notable successes in the State Legislature, including Automatic Voter Registration, Online Voter Registration, Ongoing Absentee and protections for absentee voting, Semi-Open Primaries, Presidential primaries with Ranked Choice Voting, and joining the National Popular Vote Compact for President.
Kellar has also led successful efforts at the municipal level in passing Ranked Choice Voting in Westbrook and expanding it in Portland, as well as creating the state’s first municipal Clean Elections system in Portland. Democracy Maine's mission has expanded over the years with the addition of Maine Students Vote, the creation of a youth council and high school internship program, and training over a hundred Maine young people for civic leadership.
Their visionary leadership has been instrumental in building collaborative partnerships, driving transformative policy conversations, and establishing Democracy Maine as a leader in the pro-democracy movement statewide.
Kellar will continue to advocate for a stronger democracy as the National Organizing Director for Rank the Vote. “In this new role, I will bring the values that I learned through my time at Democracy Maine and the League to a national reform effort, especially the power of ordinary people working together to make our communities better. I am excited to help other states and cities follow Maine’s lead and embrace election systems that increase the choices and power of the voters.”
“After years of organizational growth, successful education efforts, and wins both at the ballot box and in the legislature, Democracy Maine and the League of Women Voters of Maine are well positioned to continue to lead the charge for a government truly of, by, and for everyday people,” said Jill Ward, the League’s and Democracy Maine’s board president. “Under Anna’s dynamic leadership, we brought together Maine Citizens for Clean Elections and the League of Women Voters of Maine in an innovative collaboration that has built on the best of both historic organizations and has since expanded to include Maine Students Vote. We are grateful for all Anna has done in Maine and know they will continue to have an impact nationally in their new role.”
Al Cleveland, who will assume the role of interim head next month, is no stranger to the organizations. In 2018, they were hired as an organizer for the League of Women Voters and Maine Citizens for Clean Elections, followed by leadership roles at Maine Youth Justice and the 2023 ballot campaign for a publicly-owned utility. Since August 2024, Al has served as Advocacy Director for the organizations.
This fall, we will focus on protecting absentee voting by defeating Question 1 on the November ballot, as well as the effort to expand Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) for the 2026 general election and sustaining the exciting growth of youth civic engagement programming.