Clinton Campaign violates Oregon's "Do Not Call" law
Submitted by admin on Sat, 03/29/2008 - 14:29.
In 2007, the Oregon legislature passed Senate Bill 863, a law that makes it illegal for political campaigns to make automated phone calls to households that are on the national "Do Not Call List". The bill was signed into law by the Governor and took effect in January, 2008.
My household is on that list. But today, Oregon for Hillary made an automated phone call to my home inviting us to attend an event in Salem featuring former President, Bill Clinton.
In 2007, Jeff Merkley's campaign for US Senate got into hot water for violating the spirit of this law, which did not go into effect until January, 2008.
Robo Call Bans Will Not Work
I doubt that the OR law will be upheld by the supreme court. Few laws that restrict freedom of speech do survive.
The bottom line is that while there may in fact be laws, both sides and all candidates essentially robo call FIRST and then ask permission AFTER.
Mostly the election day occurs and no one has the gumption to go after the candidates.
As I testified in the US Senate 2.27 robo calls are an epidemic and are invading the privacy of All American Voters.
Our members are taking a stand and saying enough is enough at the National Political Do Not Contact Registry at StopPoliticalCalls.org.
Here is a quote from a member this morning:
"I find it very frustrating... I tend to get calls at the WORST time. I have a one year old daughter, and it NEVER fails that the phone will ring when I put her down for a nap or for bed. Also my vote is PRIVATE... so who do you think you are calling with a survey to find out who I am voting for!!! Stop calling me."
Regards,
Shaun Dakin
CEO and Founder
http://www.stoppoliticalcalls.org
Sorry
Oregon's law is pre-empted by federal communications laws, plain and simple. Your law cannot impinge on the rights of a person to communicate.
Federal preemption means the Congress, and only the federal government, may regulate interstate commerce, and telephones are interstate commerce.
Since Congress has already acted in this area, and elected not to include political calls in the Do Not Call laws, the state is prohibited from enacting tougher regulations.
Con Law 101.
Sorry, I hate those calls too. But they are not illegal. The Oregon law is.