Stop Dark Money is a grassroots effort to change the law and require everyone who spends money on the political process to disclose who they are. I did say change the law. Right now it is perfectly legal to form a 501c(4) organization and spend money on politics without disclosing. Money from one or two very wealthy individuals, money from out of state, it has all been used in Montana.
It also seems to have worked. One election cycle had a purveyor of dark money claim they won 12 of the 14 races they worked in. My guess is Montanans don’t want their vote for sale. But how do you evaluate a message without knowing the author?
StopDarkMoney.com gives you an opportunity to find out more and help the effort. If you want to carry the petition, you have to watch the video so you know the rules – it’s only 6 minutes and gives you the password to unlock the page. Check out the news section that has lots of articles about who is already involved and why we are doing this, even though a recent columnist couldn’t find the information.
And keep watching. There are more events planned. Look for a petition to sign in your neighborhood or choose to collect signatures yourself. It’s time to stop dark money in Montana politics, shine the light so voters can know the issues and motivations, and let them decide.
Sandy Welch
Whitefish