Legal Filings

Legal Filings
Jan 03, 2012

Ethics Watch Dismisses Suit Over Primary Reports After SOS Withdraws Rule

Ethics Watch Moves To Dismiss Suit Over Primary Reports After SOS Withdraws Rule

On Tuesday, Secretary of State Scott Gessler announced that his office would rescind Campaign and Political Finance Rule 5.13, which would have excused candidates from filing biweekly campaign finance reports before a primary, and replace it with a new Rule 5.14, which will require candidates to begin filing biweekly reports on January 30. On Thursday, the Attorney General’s office cleared the proposed rule change so that it can take effect this month. In light of these developments, Ethics Watch filed a motion today with the Denver District Court to dismiss its challenge to Rule 5.13. The motion states that Ethics Watch’s legal challenge has become moot due to the Secretary’s repeal of the rule that was the subject of that challenge.

“We are delighted that the Secretary has withdrawn a rule we believe was sure to be declared invalid by the court in our lawsuit,” said Ethics Watch Director Luis Toro. “We’re glad that Ethics Watch has played a role in making sure that voters receive timely information about who is funding candidates in a primary election.”