501(c)3 sketchy behavior
Good morning comrades! I’m writing both in my capacity as Regional Alt and state Chair. As many of you know there are two special Congressional Elections in NC this year. A progressive 501(c)3 org with a not-unblemished history named The Voter Participation Center https://www.voterparticipation.org (https://www.voterparticipation.org/) sent out a mailer to District 9 voters recently. An image of the mailer is included here. As you can see, it purports to be ‘nonpartisan’ (and does that annoying thing of trying to look like an ‘official notice’, but that’s not wrong, just annoying). BUT ... neither the LP nor the GP candidates, who will both be on the ballot, are listed here. Is this crossing some sort of line for a ‘nonprofit research organization’? Does this exclusion rise to the level of advocacy for one group (D/R) over another (‘third parties’)? I know this isn’t actionable in any way that can really redress the harm I think is being done (and intended) by the organization (this election is a do-over of one last year where the LP candidate’s vote today GREATLY exceeded the difference between D and R). But maybe there’s some way we can get our candidate (Jeff Scott; you can donate here if you feel called to! http://jeffscottforcongress.com (http://jeffscottforcongress.com/) ) some good PR from this and maybe blacken the eye of this group? I have also considered calling this group to have a nice heart-to-heart chat on ethics and inclusion, but that was before I realized it was a national group. Sorry for the length and rambling; I’m just feeling frustrated and could use some advice. Thanks! Susan Jane Hogarth Region 5 Alternate 919-906-2106 (tel:919-906-2106)
If the image didn’t come through, the original is here: https://www.facebook.com/172686992767804/posts/2355105831192565?sfns=mo Susan Jane Hogarth Region 5 Alternate 919-906-2106 (tel:919-906-2106)
On Aug 28, 2019 at 7:39 AM, <Susan Hogarth via Lnc-business (mailto:lnc-business@hq.lp.org)> wrote:
Good morning comrades!
I’m writing both in my capacity as Regional Alt and state Chair. As many of you know there are two special Congressional Elections in NC this year. A progressive 501(c)3 org with a not-unblemished history named The Voter Participation Center
https://www.voterparticipation.org (https://www.voterparticipation.org/)
sent out a mailer to District 9 voters recently. An image of the mailer is included here.
As you can see, it purports to be ‘nonpartisan’ (and does that annoying thing of trying to look like an ‘official notice’, but that’s not wrong, just annoying). BUT ... neither the LP nor the GP candidates, who will both be on the ballot, are listed here. Is this crossing some sort of line for a ‘nonprofit research organization’? Does this exclusion rise to the level of advocacy for one group (D/R) over another (‘third parties’)?
I know this isn’t actionable in any way that can really redress the harm I think is being done (and intended) by the organization (this election is a do-over of one last year where the LP candidate’s vote today GREATLY exceeded the difference between D and R). But maybe there’s some way we can get our candidate (Jeff Scott; you can donate here if you feel called to! http://jeffscottforcongress.com (http://jeffscottforcongress.com/) ) some good PR from this and maybe blacken the eye of this group?
I have also considered calling this group to have a nice heart-to-heart chat on ethics and inclusion, but that was before I realized it was a national group.
Sorry for the length and rambling; I’m just feeling frustrated and could use some advice.
Thanks!
Susan Jane Hogarth
Region 5 Alternate
919-906-2106 (tel:919-906-2106)
I think you can call the local group for a nice chat. Do you think you can get them to send out a corrected mailing? Remind them that under the Internal Revenue Code, all 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly intervening in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for elective public office. Violating this prohibition may result in revocation of tax-exempt status of the national group. Voter education with evidence of bias that have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates will constitute prohibited participation or intervention. (I stole most of these words from the IRS website.) If you want to go further, file a Form 13909, Tax-Exempt Organization Complaint (Referral), with the IRS. The Voter Participation Center's EIN is 55-0889748. See www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/divulge_all_suspected_tax_exempt_status_abuses_to_the_irs.pdf Then, if you want, you can publicize that The Voter Participation Center has a complaint filed against them. --- Tim Hagan Treasurer, Libertarian National Committee On 2019-08-28 04:52, Susan Hogarth via Lnc-business wrote:
If the image didn’t come through, the original is here:
https://www.facebook.com/172686992767804/posts/2355105831192565?sfns=mo
Susan Jane Hogarth
Region 5 Alternate
919-906-2106 (tel:919-906-2106)
On Aug 28, 2019 at 7:39 AM, <Susan Hogarth via Lnc-business (mailto:lnc-business@hq.lp.org)> wrote:
Good morning comrades!
I’m writing both in my capacity as Regional Alt and state Chair. As many of you know there are two special Congressional Elections in NC this year. A progressive 501(c)3 org with a not-unblemished history named The Voter Participation Center
https://www.voterparticipation.org (https://www.voterparticipation.org/)
sent out a mailer to District 9 voters recently. An image of the mailer is included here.
As you can see, it purports to be ‘nonpartisan’ (and does that annoying thing of trying to look like an ‘official notice’, but that’s not wrong, just annoying). BUT ... neither the LP nor the GP candidates, who will both be on the ballot, are listed here. Is this crossing some sort of line for a ‘nonprofit research organization’? Does this exclusion rise to the level of advocacy for one group (D/R) over another (‘third parties’)?
I know this isn’t actionable in any way that can really redress the harm I think is being done (and intended) by the organization (this election is a do-over of one last year where the LP candidate’s vote today GREATLY exceeded the difference between D and R). But maybe there’s some way we can get our candidate (Jeff Scott; you can donate here if you feel called to! http://jeffscottforcongress.com (http://jeffscottforcongress.com/) ) some good PR from this and maybe blacken the eye of this group?
I have also considered calling this group to have a nice heart-to-heart chat on ethics and inclusion, but that was before I realized it was a national group.
Sorry for the length and rambling; I’m just feeling frustrated and could use some advice.
Thanks!
Susan Jane Hogarth
Region 5 Alternate
919-906-2106 (tel:919-906-2106)
Tim, that's amazingly helpful information! Not only for this particular sketchy behavior incident, but for others too. My region has had several cases where a non-profit was holding a debate and/or forum, with only R & D candidates invited. These included promotion of the event, with bios for the candidates. Free promotion for the R & D candidates. Thank you for posting this information! Go get 'em Susan! : ) --- Elizabeth Van Horn LNC Region 3 Representative (IN, MI, OH, KY) Chair-Libertarian Party of Madison Co, Indiana Vice-Chair Libertarian Pragmatist Caucus http://www.lpcaucus.org/ On 2019-08-28 12:55, Tim Hagan via Lnc-business wrote:
I think you can call the local group for a nice chat. Do you think you can get them to send out a corrected mailing? Remind them that under the Internal Revenue Code, all 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly intervening in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for elective public office. Violating this prohibition may result in revocation of tax-exempt status of the national group. Voter education with evidence of bias that have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates will constitute prohibited participation or intervention. (I stole most of these words from the IRS website.)
If you want to go further, file a Form 13909, Tax-Exempt Organization Complaint (Referral), with the IRS. The Voter Participation Center's EIN is 55-0889748. See www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/divulge_all_suspected_tax_exempt_status_abuses_to_the_irs.pdf Then, if you want, you can publicize that The Voter Participation Center has a complaint filed against them.
--- Tim Hagan Treasurer, Libertarian National Committee
On 2019-08-28 04:52, Susan Hogarth via Lnc-business wrote:
If the image didn’t come through, the original is here:
https://www.facebook.com/172686992767804/posts/2355105831192565?sfns=mo
Susan Jane Hogarth
Region 5 Alternate
919-906-2106 (tel:919-906-2106)
On Aug 28, 2019 at 7:39 AM, <Susan Hogarth via Lnc-business (mailto:lnc-business@hq.lp.org)> wrote:
Good morning comrades!
I’m writing both in my capacity as Regional Alt and state Chair. As many of you know there are two special Congressional Elections in NC this year. A progressive 501(c)3 org with a not-unblemished history named The Voter Participation Center
https://www.voterparticipation.org (https://www.voterparticipation.org/)
sent out a mailer to District 9 voters recently. An image of the mailer is included here.
As you can see, it purports to be ‘nonpartisan’ (and does that annoying thing of trying to look like an ‘official notice’, but that’s not wrong, just annoying). BUT ... neither the LP nor the GP candidates, who will both be on the ballot, are listed here. Is this crossing some sort of line for a ‘nonprofit research organization’? Does this exclusion rise to the level of advocacy for one group (D/R) over another (‘third parties’)?
I know this isn’t actionable in any way that can really redress the harm I think is being done (and intended) by the organization (this election is a do-over of one last year where the LP candidate’s vote today GREATLY exceeded the difference between D and R). But maybe there’s some way we can get our candidate (Jeff Scott; you can donate here if you feel called to! http://jeffscottforcongress.com (http://jeffscottforcongress.com/) ) some good PR from this and maybe blacken the eye of this group?
I have also considered calling this group to have a nice heart-to-heart chat on ethics and inclusion, but that was before I realized it was a national group.
Sorry for the length and rambling; I’m just feeling frustrated and could use some advice.
Thanks!
Susan Jane Hogarth
Region 5 Alternate
919-906-2106 (tel:919-906-2106)
Sketchy indeed. I saw Jeff's post about this too. I will write a press release and publish if from the page. --- Daniel Fishman Executive Director The Libertarian Party Join Us <http://www.lp.org/join> On Wed, Aug 28, 2019 at 7:39 AM Susan Hogarth via Lnc-business < lnc-business@hq.lp.org> wrote:
Good morning comrades!
I’m writing both in my capacity as Regional Alt and state Chair. As many of you know there are two special Congressional Elections in NC this year. A progressive 501(c)3 org with a not-unblemished history named The Voter Participation Center
https://www.voterparticipation.org (https://www.voterparticipation.org/)
sent out a mailer to District 9 voters recently. An image of the mailer is included here.
As you can see, it purports to be ‘nonpartisan’ (and does that annoying thing of trying to look like an ‘official notice’, but that’s not wrong, just annoying). BUT ... neither the LP nor the GP candidates, who will both be on the ballot, are listed here. Is this crossing some sort of line for a ‘nonprofit research organization’? Does this exclusion rise to the level of advocacy for one group (D/R) over another (‘third parties’)?
I know this isn’t actionable in any way that can really redress the harm I think is being done (and intended) by the organization (this election is a do-over of one last year where the LP candidate’s vote today GREATLY exceeded the difference between D and R). But maybe there’s some way we can get our candidate (Jeff Scott; you can donate here if you feel called to! http://jeffscottforcongress.com (http://jeffscottforcongress.com/) ) some good PR from this and maybe blacken the eye of this group?
I have also considered calling this group to have a nice heart-to-heart chat on ethics and inclusion, but that was before I realized it was a national group.
Sorry for the length and rambling; I’m just feeling frustrated and could use some advice.
Thanks!
Susan Jane Hogarth
Region 5 Alternate
919-906-2106 (tel:919-906-2106)
Thanks! Susan Jane Hogarth Region 5 Alternate 919-906-2106 (tel:919-906-2106)
On Aug 28, 2019 at 10:12 AM, <Daniel Fishman via Lnc-business (mailto:lnc-business@hq.lp.org)> wrote:
Sketchy indeed. I saw Jeff's post about this too. I will write a press release and publish if from the page. --- Daniel Fishman Executive Director The Libertarian Party Join Us <http://www.lp.org/join>
On Wed, Aug 28, 2019 at 7:39 AM Susan Hogarth via Lnc-business < lnc-business@hq.lp.org> wrote:
Good morning comrades!
I’m writing both in my capacity as Regional Alt and state Chair. As many of you know there are two special Congressional Elections in NC this year. A progressive 501(c)3 org with a not-unblemished history named The Voter Participation Center
https://www.voterparticipation.org (https://www.voterparticipation.org/)
sent out a mailer to District 9 voters recently. An image of the mailer is included here.
As you can see, it purports to be ‘nonpartisan’ (and does that annoying thing of trying to look like an ‘official notice’, but that’s not wrong, just annoying). BUT ... neither the LP nor the GP candidates, who will both be on the ballot, are listed here. Is this crossing some sort of line for a ‘nonprofit research organization’? Does this exclusion rise to the level of advocacy for one group (D/R) over another (‘third parties’)?
I know this isn’t actionable in any way that can really redress the harm I think is being done (and intended) by the organization (this election is a do-over of one last year where the LP candidate’s vote today GREATLY exceeded the difference between D and R). But maybe there’s some way we can get our candidate (Jeff Scott; you can donate here if you feel called to! http://jeffscottforcongress.com (http://jeffscottforcongress.com/) ) some good PR from this and maybe blacken the eye of this group?
I have also considered calling this group to have a nice heart-to-heart chat on ethics and inclusion, but that was before I realized it was a national group.
Sorry for the length and rambling; I’m just feeling frustrated and could use some advice.
Thanks!
Susan Jane Hogarth
Region 5 Alternate
919-906-2106 (tel:919-906-2106)
There is also debate exclusion. Is there a way we could get the national party to send a note to the offending broadcasters? Is there a legal (FCC) angle on this? Susan Jane Hogarth Region 5 Alternate 919-906-2106 (tel:919-906-2106)
On Aug 28, 2019 at 10:27 AM, <Susan Hogarth via Lnc-business (mailto:lnc-business@hq.lp.org)> wrote:
Thanks!
Susan Jane Hogarth
Region 5 Alternate
919-906-2106 (tel:919-906-2106)
On Aug 28, 2019 at 10:12 AM, <Daniel Fishman via Lnc-business (mailto:lnc-business@hq.lp.org)> wrote:
Sketchy indeed. I saw Jeff's post about this too. I will write a press release and publish if from the page. --- Daniel Fishman Executive Director The Libertarian Party Join Us <http://www.lp.org/join>
On Wed, Aug 28, 2019 at 7:39 AM Susan Hogarth via Lnc-business < lnc-business@hq.lp.org> wrote:
Good morning comrades!
I’m writing both in my capacity as Regional Alt and state Chair. As many of you know there are two special Congressional Elections in NC this year. A progressive 501(c)3 org with a not-unblemished history named The Voter Participation Center
https://www.voterparticipation.org (https://www.voterparticipation.org/)
sent out a mailer to District 9 voters recently. An image of the mailer is included here.
As you can see, it purports to be ‘nonpartisan’ (and does that annoying thing of trying to look like an ‘official notice’, but that’s not wrong, just annoying). BUT ... neither the LP nor the GP candidates, who will both be on the ballot, are listed here. Is this crossing some sort of line for a ‘nonprofit research organization’? Does this exclusion rise to the level of advocacy for one group (D/R) over another (‘third parties’)?
I know this isn’t actionable in any way that can really redress the harm I think is being done (and intended) by the organization (this election is a do-over of one last year where the LP candidate’s vote today GREATLY exceeded the difference between D and R). But maybe there’s some way we can get our candidate (Jeff Scott; you can donate here if you feel called to! http://jeffscottforcongress.com (http://jeffscottforcongress.com/) ) some good PR from this and maybe blacken the eye of this group?
I have also considered calling this group to have a nice heart-to-heart chat on ethics and inclusion, but that was before I realized it was a national group.
Sorry for the length and rambling; I’m just feeling frustrated and could use some advice.
Thanks!
Susan Jane Hogarth
Region 5 Alternate
919-906-2106 (tel:919-906-2106)
participants (4)
-
Daniel Fishman -
Elizabeth Van Horn -
Susan Hogarth -
Tim Hagan