MN: Campaign Board Says Anti Gay Marriage Forces Must Disclose Funding Sources

Written by scott on June 30th, 2011

The Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board ruled today that corporate donations to groups advocating for or against a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage must be disclosed. The Minnesota Family Council (MFC) and the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) argued that supporters of marriage equality would commit violence against their donors if they were made public. On Thursday, the board disagreed.

The campaign finance board met in mid-June to vote on how to implement new independent expenditure rules and how they would apply to the 2012 ballot initiative campaign to ban same-sex marriage in the Minnesota Constitution. NOM and MFC argued that no disclosures should have to be made for fear of reprisal from supporters of marriage equality.

“To require groups, non profits like the Minnesota Family Council, to disclose their donors and make their donors names public would have a significant chilling effect on free speech. Even in Minnesota already it’s gotten heated in some respects,” Prichard told the board. “The concern is harassment, property damage, a chilling effect. If I know I have to disclose my name, I’m not going to get involved with the Minnesota Family Council.”

Full Story from MN Independent

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2 Comments so far ↓

  1. Silas says:

    No we would not commit violence to them physically just their pocket books

  2. Dave says:

    “If I know I have to disclose my name, I’m not going to get involved with the Minnesota Family Council.”

    …then MAYBE they’re not worth fighting for?

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