NH Justice: Anonymous Senate Mailers Violate Disclosure Laws
Attorney General orders two out-of-state firms to halt distribution of campaign mailers lacking paid-for disclaimers.
By Fatima Popov ·
New Hampshire’s Department of Justice issued cease-and-desist letters on Friday to two out-of-state companies, ordering them to stop distributing anonymous political mailers. The letters were sent to Pinpoint Campaigns, which commissioned the materials, and Journeyman Press, a Massachusetts-based firm responsible for printing and mailing them. The department stated that the mailers lacked the specific disclosure information required by state and federal law.
The Election Law Unit initiated the action after receiving multiple complaints from state residents in recent days. The three mailers targeted U.S. Senate candidates John Sununu, a Republican, and Edmond LaPlante, a Constitution Party candidate. The materials either attacked Sununu or promoted LaPlante’s candidacy. The department noted that none of the mailers included disclaimers identifying the person or entity responsible for the advertising.
New Hampshire law mandates that political advertisements disclose who paid for the material and whether the candidate or a political committee authorized the ad. The Attorney General’s office explained that these rules allow voters to identify the source of the advertising. This transparency helps voters assess the credibility of the claims and determine the weight to give the information.
The department contacted the campaigns for Sununu, LaPlante, and Democratic candidate Chris Pappas. It also reached out to the state Democratic and Republican parties. All five groups stated they had no prior knowledge of or coordination with Journeyman Press or Pinpoint Campaigns regarding the production of the mailers. The office confirmed that the candidates and parties did not authorize the anonymous distribution.
The state Election Law Unit continues its investigation into the mailers. The cease-and-desist letters warned that each violation of the disclosure requirements could result in a penalty of $1,000. The department cited both state and federal statutes in its notice to the firms. The order requires the companies to stop the distribution of the non-compliant materials immediately.
Source: WEVO
