Over $70 million undisclosed in Michigan campaigns since 2000

Network partner Michigan Campaign Finance Network released a new report on undisclosed television spending in the last decade which, according to the report, exceeded $70 million. Three candidates for statewide office in 2010 won their elections without spending any of their own money on broadcast advertisements. The Michigan Department of State does not require advertisers to disclose funding sources unless the ads they pay for explicitly mention voting. The report highlights undisclosed money in statewide races including gubernatorial and state Supreme Court races.

“Disclosure helps voters to evaluate the messages they receive in the course of a campaign, and disclosure is critical for controlling the corruption of quid pro quo politics” said MCFN executive director Rich Robinson. “Our campaign finance disclosure system is highly dysfunctional. Citizens should demand that elected officials fix it.”

Read the report and accompanying press release at the Michigan Campaign Finance Network website.