FEC dismisses complaint that GOP not allowed to put Nader on State Ballots

[papau]

The FEC has dismissed a complaint accusing Republicans and conservative groups of improperly working to put Ralph Nader on Oregon's ballot last year

http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2005/09/23/news/oregon/friore00.txt

FEC dismisses complaint in Nader's campaign

By MATTHEW DALY
Associated Press writer

Former presidential candidate calls the ruling a vindication

WASHINGTON — The Federal Election Commission has dismissed a complaint accusing Republicans and conservative groups of improperly working with Ralph Nader to try to put the veteran consumer advocate on Oregon's presidential ballot last year.

Two groups, FreedomWorks and the Oregon Family Council, phoned people around Oregon in June 2004, urging them to attend Nader's convention in Portland in hopes of putting Nader's name on Oregon's ballot.

At the time, the groups made no bones about their goal — to try to draw votes away from Democrat John Kerry and help President Bush.

Still, the Federal Election Commission said Thursday it found no reason to believe that any of the groups had violated the law as Nader sought to qualify as an independent presidential candidate in Oregon.<snip>

The complaint was filed by Democratic activist Ellen Lowe of Portland and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a liberal-leaning watchdog group. They alleged that Republicans and the two conservative groups — the Oregon Family Council and FreedomWorks — violated election laws by telephoning people and urging them to help Nader get on the Oregon ballot.

[barbaraann]

1. Thanks for posting this!

I posted it in LBN but it sank and I think it is incredibly important.