11.30 Attribution of political contributions, disbursements and communications.
11.30
11.30 Attribution of political contributions, disbursements and communications.11.30(1)
(1) No disbursement may be made or obligation incurred anonymously, and no contribution or disbursement may be made or obligation incurred in a fictitious name or by one person or organization in the name of another for any political purpose.11.30(2)
(2)11.30(2)(a)
(a) The source of every printed advertisement, billboard, handbill, sample ballot, television or radio advertisement or other communication which is paid for by or through any contribution, disbursement or incurred obligation shall clearly appear thereon. This paragraph does not apply to communications for which reporting is not required under s. 11.06 (2).11.30(2)(b)
(b) Every such communication the cost of which is paid for or reimbursed by a committee or group, or for which a committee or group assumes responsibility, whether by the acceptance of a contribution or by the making of a disbursement, shall be identified by the words "Paid for by" followed by the name of the committee or group making the payment or reimbursement or assuming responsibility for the communication and the name of the treasurer or other authorized agent of such committee or group.11.30(2)(c)
(c) Every such communication which is directly paid for or reimbursed by an individual, including a candidate without a personal campaign committee who is serving as his or her own treasurer, or for which an individual assumes responsibility, whether by the acceptance of a contribution or by the making of a disbursement, shall be identified by the words "Paid for by" followed by the name of the candidate or other individual making the payment or reimbursement or assuming responsibility for the communication. No abbreviation may be used in identifying the name of a committee or group under this paragraph.11.30(2)(d)
(d) In addition to the requirements of pars. (a) to (c), a committee or individual required to file an oath under s. 11.06 (7) shall also in every communication in support of or in opposition to any clearly identified candidate or candidates include the words "Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's agent or committee".11.30(2)(e)
(e) Communications under this section by a personal campaign committee may identify the committee or any bona fide subcommittee thereof.11.30(2)(em)
(em) The source of each printed advertisement, billboard, handbill, paid television or radio advertisement or other communication made for the purpose of influencing the recall from or retention in office of an individual holding a state or local office shall clearly appear thereon in the manner prescribed in pars. (b) and (c).11.30(2)(f)
(f) This subsection does not apply to the preparation and transmittal of personal correspondence or the production, wearing or display of a single personal item which is not reproduced or manufactured by machine or other equipment for sale or distribution to more than one individual.11.30(2)(fm)
(fm) This subsection does not apply to communications printed on pins, buttons, pens, balloons, nail files and similar small items on which the information required by this subsection cannot be conveniently printed. The board may, by rule, specify small items not mentioned in this paragraph to which this subsection shall not apply.11.30(2)(g)
(g) This subsection does not apply to nonadvertising material contained in a regularly published newsletter by an organization which is expressing its political views with respect to elections which are of concern to its membership, provided that distribution of such newsletter is restricted to such membership.11.30(2)(h)
(h) Notwithstanding par. (a), the attributions required by this subsection in written communications shall be readable, legible and readily accessible.11.30(2)(hm)
(hm) Notwithstanding pars. (a) to (c), any communication making a solicitation on behalf of more than one candidate for a joint fund raising effort or program pursuant to an escrow agreement under s. 11.16 (5) may omit the names of the candidates or personal campaign committees assuming responsibility for the communication if the communication discloses that a joint fund raising effort or program is being conducted on behalf of named candidates.11.30(2)(i)
(i) No person may publish or disseminate, or cause to be published or disseminated any communication in violation of this subsection. A communications medium which in good faith relies on the representations of any person who places an advertisement with such medium as to the applicability of this subsection to such person does not violate this paragraph as a result of publication or dissemination of that advertisement based on such representations, provided that the representations are reasonable.11.30(3)
(3)11.30(3)(a)
(a) This subsection applies to the following persons who own any financial interest in a newspaper or periodical circulating in this state or in any radio or television station located in this state:11.30(3)(a)1.
1. Every person occupying any office or position with an annual compensation over $300, under the constitution or laws of the United States or of this state or under an ordinance of any municipality of this state.11.30(3)(a)2.
2. Every candidate or member of any committee or group under this chapter.11.30(3)(a)3.
3. Every individual registered under s. 11.05.11.30(3)(b)
(b) Any person named in par. (a) is guilty of a violation of this chapter unless, before using the communications medium for political purposes other than as provided for in sub. (2), there is filed with the board a verified declaration specifically stating the communications medium in which the person has financial interest or over which the person has control and the exact nature and extent of the interest or control.11.30(4)
(4) No owner or other person with a financial interest in a communications medium may utilize such medium in support of or in opposition to a candidate or referendum except as provided in this chapter. This chapter shall not be construed to restrict fair coverage of bona fide news stories, interviews with candidates and other politically active individuals, editorial comment or endorsement. Such activities need not be reported as a contribution or disbursement.11.30(5)
(5) Whenever any person receives payment from another person, in cash or in-kind, for the direct or indirect cost of conducting a poll concerning support or opposition to a candidate, political party or referendum, the person conducting the poll shall, upon request of any person who is polled, disclose the name and address of the person making payment for the poll and, in the case of a registrant under s. 11.05, the name of the treasurer of the person making payment.11.30 - ANNOT.
History: 1973 c. 334; 1975 c. 93, 199, 224, 422; 1979 c. 328; 1983 a. 491; 1985 a. 303; 1987 a. 370; 1989 a. 192; 1991 a. 316; 2003 a. 265.