The New York City Campaign Finance Board will issue a revised draft of proposed rules on disclosure of independent expenditures in City elections after its regularly scheduled Board meeting on February 16, 2012. The Board will accept written comments on the revised draft, and final adoption of the rules will take place at a subsequent meeting of the Board.
BACKGROUND: On November 2, 2010, against the backdrop of Citizens United and a flood of unlimited, undisclosed spending in the federal midterm elections, New York City voters approved a ballot referendum to require public disclosure of independent expenditures made to influence the outcome of City elections.
The Charter requires disclosure of independent expenditures greater than $1,000; for individuals or groups spending more than $5,000, the Charter requires disclosure of the sources of those funds. The Charter directs the Campaign Finance Board to promulgate rules to administer this new requirement.
The new disclosures will ensure that City voters will know who is spending money on television commercials, mass mailings, and other communications meant to impact City elections. As the issue has been the focus of deep public interest, the Board embarked on an unprecedented process to engage the public around the issue.
On March 10, 2011, the Board held the first of two public hearings to solicit input into its rulemaking on the new disclosures. A total of 13 individuals and groups submitted testimony.
On September 8, 2011, the Board issued proposed rules governing the disclosure of independent expenditures in City elections for public comment and review. On October 27, the Board conducted a public hearing on the proposed rules. Fifty-six individuals or groups submitted or delivered testimony to the Board on the proposed rules.
For further information about independent expenditures in City elections, you can download the CFB’s post-election report for the 2009 election cycle, New Yorkers Make Their Voices Heard. pdf
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Campaign Finance Board to Issue Revised Draft Rules on Disclosure of Independent Expenditures
January 24, 2012