SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) authored legislation last year, AB 990, to improve voter access to information and increase the transparency around the proliferation of money in politics. The impact of this legislation was seen throughout the California primary elections.
Assembly Bill 990, which was signed into law last October, has helped voters effortlessly identify who a message is coming from by requiring a more evident and clear disclosure statement on all independent expenditure (I.E.) advertisements received during an election cycle.
“It is critically important that voters are not misled by the campaign literature flooding their mailboxes during election season,” said Assemblywoman Bonilla. “I am pleased to say that this new law has been successfully implemented and I have already received positive feedback. California voters appreciate the added disclosure, which shines light on outside interest groups hoping to influence voters with paid advertisements and discrediting and distasteful messages.”
During each election cycle, Californians are bombarded with an influx of literature supporting or opposing various candidates. The problem is, voters are often unable to easily identify if the mail is coming from the candidate running for office or an outside interest group, increasing voter confusion and frustration with the election process. AB 990 addresses this serious concern by requiring all campaign mailers paid for by independent expenditures (I.E.s), to include the prominent statement shown above.
“Our goal is to ensure that all campaign advertisements provide adequate and proper disclosure of those behind the ads,” said Galena West, Fair Political Practices Commission, Enforcement Chief. “The spirit of the law is to require identification of independent expenditures to give the voters the information they deserve and are legally entitled to.”
If voters do not see the disclosure notice on any campaign mail received from outside entities unaffiliated with a candidate’s campaign, they are encouraged to notify the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) at (916) 322-5660.
Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) was elected in November 2010 and represents California’s 14th Assembly District, which includes Contra Costa County and Solano County.
