Campaign spending rule to be enforced

Advertiser Staff

Federal Judge Susan Mollway yesterday rejected a request by Hawaii Right to Life Inc. to temporarily bar the state Campaign Spending Commission from enforcing a section of state law that requires an individual or organization to file a report with the commission if it spends more than $2,000 during an election on advertising on behalf of political candidates.

Hawaii Right to Life filed a court challenge of the campaign spending law provision on Tuesday and asked for a temporary restraining order to keep the Campaign Spending Commission from enforcing the law while it is being challenged in court.

In its lawsuit, Hawaii Right to Life said it wanted to purchase advertising on assisted suicide and other issues showing where candidates stand on the topics, but held back because it did not want to violate state law.

The Right to Life organization claims the law requiring a spending report should be declared unconstitutional on its face because it inhibits political free speech.