It’s Time To Bring Some Sanity To Campaign Finance Laws
By Academic Advisor David Primo
This past election when Dina Galassini emailed some friends urging them to join her in opposing a ballot initiative proposing $30 million in bonds for the town of Fountain Hills, Ariz., she thought she was doing what Americans have done throughout our nation’s history—speaking out on matters of public concern. Instead, she received a letter from a town clerk strongly urging her to “cease any campaign related activities.” It turns out she failed to fill out the paperwork required by Arizona’s campaign finance laws and therefore didn’t have the government’s permission to speak.
Under Arizona law, as in most states, anytime two or more people work together to support or oppose a ballot issue, they become a “political committee.” Even before they speak, they must register with the state, and then they must track every penny they spend, and if spending more than a small amount, fill out complicated reports detailing every move.
The Fountain Hills election went forward in November, but thanks to Arizona law, most voters made their choices without having heard Dina’s views. Only a last-minute intervention from a federal court freed her to speak in the final five days of the election, which ultimately helped her to defeat the bond issue.
