PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Critics of a Rhode Island campaign finance law say it violates the First Amendment.
The law requires the disclosure of the top five donors behind any campaign communication during state election cycles. In addition, the law requires groups producing the communications to file public reports of any donor who gave more than $1,000.
The law is the subject of a federal lawsuit filed by conservative advocacy groups, The Boston Globe reported. The paper reports that the law also has critics on the left.
Critics of the bill have argued that identifying donors encourages them not to participate in the democratic process.
“The sole purpose of this law is to name and shame individuals who support different viewpoints — or worse, intimidate people into staying silent,” said Patrick Hughes, president of Liberty Justice Center represents the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
Supporters of the bill have argued that it will enlighten voters as to who is trying to influence their decision at the ballot.
“It’s about providing voters with more information to fully evaluate political advertising and messaging, which in turn allows them to fully participate in the democratic process,” said Austin Graham of the Campaign Legal Center.
