From LifeNews.com:

Columbus, OH (LifeNews.com) — A leading pro-life group in Ohio has filed a lawsuit to protect its free speech political rights when it comes to the organization’s ability to engage in issue advocacy. During the critical days before the November general election, the Ohio Right to Life Society wants to be able to speak out on pro-life legislation.

Ohio Right to Life officials tell LifeNews.com that a ruling in its favor would free advocacy groups of all ideologies from government restriction that inhibits free speech rights prior to election day.

Specifically, the group has a problem with a state law that bars citizen organizations from paying for ads that mention the name of a political candidate within 30 days of an election.

The ads are prohibited even if they don’t advocate the defeat or election of a candidate and simply discuss the elected officials voting record on issues like abortion or bioethics.

“Ohio Right to Life is presently not permitted to advocate for an issue when voters are most engaged - 30 days before an election,” executive director Mike Gonidakis told LifeNews.com.

“Such a speech blackout period is entirely contrary to the First Amendment and harms grassroots organizations of all ideologies,” he said.

Ohio lawmakers included the ad ban in a campaign finance bill the legislature approved in December 2004.[...]
“Our mission is to promote life. We want the right to talk about life issues at anytime - regardless of when an election is scheduled,” Gonidakis explained.

“The Supreme Court has recognized these rights at the federal level. We believe it is time for the Ohio Elections Commission to recognize our right to free speech,” he added.

The laws in question come from HB 3 from 2004, which became law in 2005. The sloppy legislation is largely authored by Senator Jeff Jacobson, the junior Senator from Bexley.

If abortion groups are going to stop abortion, they need the ability to fight against candidates who support the killing of unborn babies. Ohio election laws are suppressing speech, and I’m glad to see the ORL is willing to fight this out in the court.