Secretary of State Gigi Dennis Appeals Decision on Campaign Finance Rules

Denver CO, September 18, 2006 – Secretary of State Gigi Dennis Monday announced that she intends to appeal Friday’s court decision invalidating a rule requiring small donor political groups to seek member permission before donating their dues money to campaigns.

Denver District Judge John McMullen invalidated the rule, which requires small donor political groups – business groups or unions -- to seek permission from their members before transferring their dues to political campaigns or issue committees.

Colorado Democrats and unions sued Dennis to prevent the rule – implemented Aug. 2 – from being enforced, claiming it prevents unions from influencing this year’s elections and that Dennis exceeded her authority.

“I believe strongly that it is the job of the Secretary of State to ensure the greatest transparency possible in our elections,” Dennis said. She added it is important to appeal to ensure the right of future secretaries of state to implement election rules.

“I cannot imagine that Colorado voters intended to exempt union leadership from Amendment 27’s reach,” Dennis said. “Voters want to know who is influencing their elections. The rank and file membership of these organizations has every right to tell their leadership they do not want their dues going to support candidates whom they do not support themselves.”

Dennis’ office successfully argued another challenged rule in the case – requiring representatives of small donor committees to ensure that their donations do not come from foreign corporations or non-citizens. The judge also ruled that the rules were adopted in full compliance with all rule-making requirements and Secretary Dennis was within her rights to meet with both republican and democrat lawyers about the proposed rules.