Campaign Ethics Idea

The Raleigh News & Observer’s Andrew Curliss has observed in a recent post that there are some potentially good ethics regulations missing from the ethics bill (HB961) currently being considered at the General Assembly.  One suggestion that stands out would “require candidates to sign their campaign reports subject to perjury violations.”

Currently, campaigns are required to fully disclose all campaign contributions and expenditures regularly to the State Board of Election but candidates are not required to sign off on the reports.  Requiring candidates to sign their reports would hold them accountable for their campaigns and force them to ensure that campaign finances are fully disclosed.  Transparency and accountability are paramount to good government and requiring candidates to sign their campaign reports would achieve those goals.