U.S. Accuses State Democratic Party of Violating Election Laws

SACRAMENTO — Federal elections officials have sued the California Democratic Party in U.S. District Court, saying that the group violated election laws in a 1992 ballot initiative campaign against Gov. Pete Wilson’s welfare proposals.

The Republican governor had argued that his Proposition 165 would help prevent welfare dependency and avoid prolonged budget stalemates. Democrats characterized it as a Wilson “power grab” disguised as welfare reform.

California voters rejected the measure 53% to 47%.

The lawsuit filed last week by the Federal Election Commission alleges that $657,100 from a state Democratic coffer financed by labor unions and corporations was used to help underwrite a highly partisan voter registration drive and follow-up canvass by the committee fighting the initiative.

Federal election law bars corporations and labor organizations from making contributions to political committees in connection with federal elections.

According to the lawsuit, Democratic candidates for federal office in California in 1992--including presidential nominee Bill Clinton and senatorial nominees Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer--were illegal beneficiaries of the money spent on the registration drive because it sought out only people who probably would vote Democratic.

The suit asked the court to fine the Democrats an unspecified amount and issue an injunction barring further such violations. A fine may not exceed the amount involved in the violation.

The Democrats’ lawyer, Lance Olson, said the voter registration drive was nonpartisan and thus was not subject to regulation by the federal agency.

However, the suit alleges that the strategy of the No on 165 campaign was to “target potential Democrats” for registration because the California Republican Party had endorsed the initiative and polling data showed 60% of Republicans favored the measure, while just 24% of Democrats did.