July 8, 2010

Letter to the editor of the Columbus Dispatch:

Fair, open and transparent elections are the foundation of our democracy. Transparency means that voters know who is trying to influence them—and their vote.

The League of Women Voters of Ohio strongly agrees with the Dispatch editorial, “Focus on Fairness” (July 6), that all election spending beyond a threshold amount—whether by unions, corporations, trade associations, non-profits, PACs, individuals or others—should be disclosed promptly and accurately. Only in this way can we ensure an informed electorate. The bipartisan DISCLOSE Act, recently passed by the U.S. House and now before the Senate, would go far to bring such transparency to election spending.

The League of Women Voters of Ohio urges voters to ask Senators Voinovich and Brown to support the DISCLOSE Act—but without the carve-outs for the NRA and other organizations that diminish transparency. And let’s ask them to get it passed in time for the November, 2010, general election, too!

Meg Flack
President