Will Measure 5 Supporters Be Filing Criminal Charges Against Themselves?
Last week the North Dakotans for Clean Water, Wildlife, and Parks (the proponents of Measure 5) filed a complaint with the Secretary of State’s office over advertising by the American Petroleum Institute which didn’t have the complete, legally-required campaign disclosure on it.
And they’re right. State law requires that all political advertising “must disclose on the advertisement the name of the person, as defined in section 16.1-08.1-01, or political party paying for the advertisement. If the name of a political party, association, or partnership is used, the disclaimer must also include the name of the chairman or other responsible individual from the political party, association, or partnership.”
As you can see in the examples provided by NDCWWP the API advertising clearly says it was paid for by the American Petroleum Institute, they don’t also list the “name of the chairman or other responsible individual.”
So fair enough. API didn’t properly follow the law. Maybe the NDCWWP can find a prosecutor to take up the case and get a conviction for a misdemeanor.
But here’s the thing: The NDWCCP doesn’t seem to be following the law either.
Here’s one example a reader sent in of a mailer which lacks the disclaimer:
Will the NDWCCP file for charges against themselves as well?
Or should we admit that all this sanctimonious chest-thumping about “illegal” advertising is so much bluster from a measure committee that is losing ugly?
