Legislation Designed to Stop Campaign Smearing

A local assemblyman wants to crack down on fraudulent political campaign communications.

State Assemblyman Scott Rumana (District 40) introduced legislation to strengthen the current law that prohibits fraudulent political campaign activity, the Fair Campaign Practices Act.

The legislation would prevent someone from falsely claiming that they are representing a political candidate, including initiating pre-recorded messages.

The legislation would increase the penalties for violators. The penalty would be bumped up from a disorderly person’s offense to crime with a three- to five-year prison term and a $15,000 fine.

“Too often we hear about individuals who attempt to derail a competitor’s campaign by pretending they represent the candidate they are actually trying to smear whether it’s through robo calls or written communications,” Rumana said in a statement. “Such tactics cheapen the process and do a huge disservice to voters.”

The bill has been referred to the Assembly’s State Government Committee.

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