Post by Logan on May 11, 2016 9:40:11 GMT -6
HELENA — Portions of Montana's campaign finance law are so vague and broad that the state regulator can enforce the law against groups he dislikes, while ignoring similar allegations against groups he supports, a nonprofit organization trying to strike down the law plans to argue in court Tuesday.
Attorneys for Montanans for Community Development will ask U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen during a hearing in Missoula to rule without a trial that the state's rules governing campaigns are unconstitutional.
Attorneys for the state also are asking Christensen to rule in their favor without a trial. They argue that Montana's campaign finance laws are constitutionally sound and there is no selective enforcement by the commissioner's office.
MCD is a "social welfare" organization not required to disclose donors or spending to the commissioner of political practices. The group argues it will be forced to register and make those disclosures as an organization that expressly advocates for or against the election of candidates, while it is simply wants to distribute ads about issues that mention certain candidates.
Read more: billingsgazette.com/news/government-and-politics/group-asks-judge-to-strike-state-campaign-finance-laws/article_45aba548-ecad-5b1e-806e-53ba5e10d4d9.html
Attorneys for Montanans for Community Development will ask U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen during a hearing in Missoula to rule without a trial that the state's rules governing campaigns are unconstitutional.
Attorneys for the state also are asking Christensen to rule in their favor without a trial. They argue that Montana's campaign finance laws are constitutionally sound and there is no selective enforcement by the commissioner's office.
MCD is a "social welfare" organization not required to disclose donors or spending to the commissioner of political practices. The group argues it will be forced to register and make those disclosures as an organization that expressly advocates for or against the election of candidates, while it is simply wants to distribute ads about issues that mention certain candidates.
Read more: billingsgazette.com/news/government-and-politics/group-asks-judge-to-strike-state-campaign-finance-laws/article_45aba548-ecad-5b1e-806e-53ba5e10d4d9.html