The National Organization for Marriage, which opposes same-sex marriage, claims Florida’s campaign law unconstitutionally chills its right to free speech. The nonprofit, which describes itself as nonpartisan, claims it should be excused from “a panoply of burdens: including registration, recordkeeping and extensive reporting requirements,” because complying with those burdens “would simply not be worth it”.
The group has filed similar lawsuits in Maine, New York and California. In its federal complaint in Florida, NOM says it intends to spend more than $5,000 in Florida to publish ads on radio, television, by direct mail and on the Internet against candidates for the Florida Legislature who it believes support same-sex marriage legislation.
“NOM does not wish to reveal the candidates’ names in this complaint, because it does not wish to divulge its strategy at this early date,” the complaint states. It says it fears that without court intervention, the Florida Secretary of State will use the state’s campaign law to stymie its efforts.
Full Story from Courthouse News Service
Click here for gay marriage resources in Florida.
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