At today’s open meeting, the Federal Election Commission put forward two drafts to modify the policy regarding placing first general counsel reports on the public record. All commissioners appeared to agree in principle to support the policy, but they plan to coalesce around the specific wording and vote on the item at the next open meeting Nov. 19.
The FEC alsp approved an advisory opinion (AO) on a 4-2 vote, finding that Illinois State Rep. Elizabeth Coulson, a Republican candidate for Congress in 2010, could use state campaign or official funds to sponsor a seniors fair and to mail postcards publicizing the event because the “activities are not in connection with any Federal or non-Federal election.” The FEC also concluded the Coulson could pay for a health care legislative update letter with either account for the same reason (and because neither action would constitute a coordinated communication). FEC Chairman Steven Walther and Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly voted against the AO.
On a 6-0 vote, the FEC declined to issue an AO in another matter involving the transfer of certain assets (office equipment, computers, etc.) from the now-defunct state campaign of Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner to her U.S. Senate campaign. Commissioners said that late changing facts still at issue in the matter caused them to lose confidence in voting for any of the four draft AOs. The Columbus Dispatch has more.
Commissioners also heard from Robert Biersack, Special Assistant to the Staff Director, on a continuing initiative to improve the FEC’s website and other internet communications efforts. More on that project is here. To listen to an audio archive of the Commission’s Nov. 5 meeting, click here. The FEC begun broadcasting their open meetings live for the first time today. The full agenda for today’s meeting is here.
