Group Challenges State’s Campaign-Finance Laws

A Helena-based nonprofit organization is asking a federal judge to strike down a broad swath of Montana's campaign-finance laws.

The lawsuit by Montanans for Community Development argues the laws' definitions of campaign contributions and expenditures are too vague. It also says required disclosures shouldn't include groups like itself that are registered for non-partisan issues advocacy.

The law firm representing the group is headed by James Bopp Jr., who also represented individuals and groups challenging the state's campaign contribution limits in 2012.

Conflicting rulings in that case a month before the 2012 elections led to confusion among candidates and the issue is still unresolved.

Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl says this election cycle also would be disrupted if a judge sides with the plaintiffs in the new lawsuit.