State Budget Contains New Rules For Online Political Ads

The recently enacted 2018-19 state budget contains new disclosure rules for online political advertisements

Senator Joseph Griffo and Assemblymen Anthony Brindisi and Brian Miller say the new rules require groups, organizations and others behind online political advertisements to disclose who paid for the ads.

Any person or entity purchasing an online ad that qualifies as an independent expenditure and targets 50 or more people must also register with the state Board of Elections as an independent expenditure committee.

Online platforms, including social media such as Facebook and Twitter, are also required to maintain a complete record of any purchase made by an independent expenditure committee on the platform.

“In recent years, online ads have become a major source of information for many people about elections and political issues,” Brindisi said. “The public deserves to know who paid for them—just as any political mailer sent to the house, or television or radio ad must identify the person behind it. At a time when there seems to be more and more information available online, this legislation will provide important information for people who read these ads.”