RHODE ISLAND: NOM Sues To Evade Campaign Finance Disclosure Laws

NOM has filed a lawsuit against Rhode Island's Board of Elections, saying it should not have to disclose who is backing their ads in the state's 2010 election.

The suit, filed last week in U.S. District Court in Providence, does not specify the races the organization wants to be involved in, but sample ads that are included as exhibits to the complaint show support for Republican ideals — including lower taxes and fiscal conservatism. In one ad, a girl named Emily explains that she learned in school that day "about a prince who married a prince. And I can marry a princess!" The narrator then instructs viewers or listeners to contact Democratic gubernatorial candidate Frank Caprio or his independent opponent, Lincoln Chafee. Both candidates say they support same-sex marriage. Another sample ad, presumably prepared before the Sept. 14 primary, encourages voters to support the Republican nominee for governor — John Robitaille won the GOP primary — by calling him to say, "Thank you for standing up for marriage." The group also wants to run ads for General Assembly races.

NOM has filed similar suits in numerous other states. Last month they lost their attempt in Maine, but have so far refused to comply with the judge's disclosure order.