Florida Electioneering Law is no longer Valid

[heath.whiteaker]

http://centralfloridapolitics.com/2009/06/29/1st-amendment-rights-1-state-of-florida-0/

The State of Florida has dropped it’s appeal of Federal Court Judge Stephen Mickle’s ruling that struck down the electioneering statutes in the State of Florida as a violation of an individual’s First Amendment right to unfettered free speech.
The case, Broward Coalition, et al vs. Browning was brought by the Institute for Justice against the state last October.

The State of Florida dropped their appeal last week when they declined to appeal Judge Mickle’s ruling to the Federal District Court of Appeal in Atlanta. Judge Mickle’s ruling strikes the entire electioneering communications statute and now allows individuals and organizations to speak freely about political issues and candidates.

More at above URL, including Audio from the only person ever tried and convicted for the crime.

 

[Matt Collins]

So what does this mean for us?

 

[heath.whiteaker]

As a group of citizens who pool money together we no longer have to put a disclaimer on things. Nor if we do a mail out. As long as we are not a PAC or a Candidate we do not have to worry about that crap any longer.

 

[heath.whiteaker]

by the way Doug was the only person ever convicted for violating the law.

 

[Time for Change]

so...I could buy television slots for any particular candidate (or even against) with no ugly disclaimer or "Paid for By" at the end?

 

[angelatc]

I think you still need to be prepared to encounter the federal statutes.

 

[PaulaGem]

It means the machines own the vote...

what people say no longer matters..

 

[Matt Collins]

I think you still need to be prepared to encounter the federal statutes.

Not if it's a state or local race

 

[Matt Collins]

by the way Doug was the only person ever convicted for violating the law.

I am not sure about Guetzloe. I've heard good things about him but I've also heard some very very very bad things about him too. Not sure which to believe.

 

[heath.whiteaker]

so...I could buy television slots for any particular candidate (or even against) with no ugly disclaimer or "Paid for By" at the end?

for state and local races yes. For Federal NO. But then again this could open up the federal as well. It will be interesting to see where it goes from here.

 

[Time for Change]

for state and local races yes. For Federal NO. But then again this could open up the federal as well. It will be interesting to see where it goes from here.

woooohooooo...this could get FUN!