The State Bar of Michigan has requested a declaratory ruling from the Michigan Secretary of State regarding the current interpretation of the state’s Campaign Finance Act as it relates to judicial campaign contributions.

Under the current interpretation of the law, issue advocacy advertisements are not considered expenditures, and thus are not required to be reported. This allows the funding sources of the majority of judicial campaign advertisements to remain anonymous.

The State Bar of Michigan argues that such anonymous funding gives a perception of judicial bias in the state. The Secretary of State must issue a declaratory ruling within 60 days of receipt of the request. Stay tuned!