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Committee introduces RS 32,563 to require party-affiliation disclosure on partisan campaign material
Summary
Representative Healy presented RS 32,563 to require that candidates’ party affiliation (or independent/unaffiliated) appear on certain campaign material; the committee introduced the RS after members debated free-speech and scope issues.
Representative Healy (District 15) told the committee RS 32,563 clarifies and makes transparent party-affiliation disclosures on materials used in partisan elections, including candidate mailers and similar campaign materials. “When we go declare our candidacy we do affiliate with a party or we mark independent,” Healy said, adding that the RS seeks to make that information clearer to constituents.
Why it matters: The draft would require party affiliation (or independent/unaffiliated status) to be displayed on certain materials for partisan contests to increase transparency for voters. Healy said the measure targets materials both in support of and opposition to candidates.
Debate and scope questions: Committee members raised concerns about political speech and whether the RS would restrict expression. Representative Achilles asked whether the correct term is "independent" or "unaffiliated;" Healy replied that independent is correct and unaffiliated would also work. Representative Kiely asked whether the requirement could infringe political speech; Healy said the proposal was accountability-based and that party affiliation is already declared on candidate filing forms. Representative Mickelson asked whether the same concerns are addressed in other bills addressing false communication; Healy noted the bills are separate.
Committee action: Representative Scoggins moved to introduce RS 32,563; the motion carried and the RS was introduced for further consideration.
