OK Democrats Suing Over Fundraising Rules
State Democratic Party sues Oklahoma Ethics Commission over fundraising rules
by Rick Green
The Oklahoma Democratic Party has filed a free speech lawsuit in federal court against the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, challenging a rule prohibiting political fundraising on state property.
Also being challenged is a rule that prohibits distribution of campaign materials on state property.
The party had to call off a July 25 fundraising activity planned for Oklahoma City Community College after the commission “informally indicated an intention to enforce its rules,” the lawsuit said.
“The ethics rules as promulgated have a chilling effect on the exercise of core First Amendment rights and are facially unconstitutional for the reasons including, without limitation, overbreadth, improper restraints on association and improper content restriction,” the lawsuit states.