With campaign season upon us, flowers are not the only thing popping up in yards around town. Drivers are beginning to see Custom Political Campaign Signs in jacksonville fl, as well.
Several readers called in with concerns about the disclosure statements, or absence thereof, on several signs in Fairfield.
Candidate Bobby Nichols, running for Place 3 on Fairfield City Council, was missing his disclosure statement.
However, by the time our reporters were alerted, the signs had been corrected with the required disclosure statement taped to the bottom of each sign.
Another political sign, advocating for three Fairfield Council candidates, includes the phrase “Concerned Conservative for Fairfield” in its disclaimer statement.
A quick call to Fairfield’s City Secretary revealed no evidence of a political action committee having filed under that name.
The disclosure statement did include a physical address which, according to the Freestone Central Appraisal District, belongs to Fairfield resident, Jesse Earl Jones.
“No, ma’am. Not a committee,” states Jones.
Jones contends that filing as a committee is not required, as cost of the political signs fall under the $500 threshold according to the Texas Election Code.
In regards to the disclosure statements for political advertising, the law is concerned about transparency — helping voters to 1) identify that a sign or statement is a political advertisement, and 2) identify who has paid for it to be published.
A typical disclosure statement will read, “Pol. Ad paid for by [individual name or political action committee], complete mailing address.”
Jones is correct that political action committees are not required to file financial reports unless they exceed $500 in contributions and/or expenditures.
According to Jones, the political signs in question cost exactly $287.50 – well under the $500 threshold.
However, the Texas Election Code goes on to read that political advertising should not be attributed to an entity, such as a committee, if one does not exist on file with the local filing authority, which in this case would be the City of Fairfield.
In this case, as “Concerned Conservative for Fairfield” is NOT a committee, then the disclaimer should include the name of the individual who paid for the political signs. In this case, presumably, that would be Jesse Earl Jones.
The signs remain unchanged, as of now.
And, according to Fairfield City Secretary Misty Richardson, no filing has been received for such a committee by press time on Monday, March 18th.
It is important to note that when an individual or group makes political expenditures or accepts political contributions on behalf of a candidate, they are required to provide written notice to that candidate.
This protects candidates, and office holders, allowing them to remain in charge of their political message.
All three of the candidates listed on Jones’ political signs – Councilman Keith Daniels, candidate Luke Ward, Jr., and Councilman Jason Bosley – confirm that they were made aware of the political signs.
“He is not associated with my campaign,” said Ward. However, he expressed his appreciation for the support from Jones.
Once they have been made aware, candidates do have a responsibility to make a good faith attempt to either correct or remove signs that do not contain a disclosure statement or contains an inaccurate disclosure statement.
For more information about political advertising requirements, check with the Texas Ethics Commission online at www.ethics.state.tx.us
