Transparency in campaign ads is invaluable in helping voters to make informed choices.
A bill at the Minnesota Legislature aimed at restoring a law that requires campaigns to take ownership of mail and broadcast advertisements makes good sense and deserves approval.
The Minnesota Senate gave a preliminary nod to the bill Monday. A companion bill in the House awaits a vote and we urge lawmakers there to also approve it.
The intention behind the bill is honorable. It attempts to weed out the appearance of corruption and allows voters to know who is making what claims.
On the heels of last November’s elections, and with the 2008 presidential campaigns already heating up, we think voters deserve such protections.
The bill in the Legislature this session attempts to meet the objections of state courts, which rightly struck down the campaign disclaimer law on First Amendment grounds.
Clearly, ads paid for by large lobbying groups and political parties must be held accountable for the claims they make in ads. This bill would also allow groups and people acting independently of a candidate some leeway. No names would be required on ads from those individuals and groups provided they distribute their material 20 days prior to the election and spend less than $500 to produce it.
Sen. David Senjem, R-Rochester, noted the 20-day provision is important for candidates in communities served only by weekly newspapers. The time frame allows the target of ads to respond to claims made in them.
The electoral process in the United States may have some flaws, but it still is among the best in the world. Laws, like this one, would add credibility to that process in Minnesota by providing clarity for voters.
In addition, it would encourage candidates to make sure that the people putting together their mail and broadcast ads are truthful about the claims they make. It also would provide voters with information about who is making what claims about a candidate so they may weigh those claims against possible motives.