Group asks candidates to sign pledge not to robocall

by: Jason Springer

Tue Sep 08, 2009 at 02:00:00 PM EDT

I highly doubt that either side agrees to this, but I saw these tweets come through the other day from @EndTheRoboCalls:

petition @ChristieforNJ to Please don't robocall during the NJ Governor Race. #TCOT #P2 http://act.ly/i8 RT to sign #actly
petition @JonCorzine to Please don't robocall during the NJ Governor Race. #TCOT #P2 http://act.ly/i7 RT to sign #actly

And here's what their petition says:

We are asking both Governor candidates to follow the NJ law that bans all robocalls, even political calls.
How can you lead a State if you can't follow your own laws?
Here is a link that explains NJ law -
New Jersey's toughest-in-the-nation anti-telemarketer law currently prohibits automated robocalls, yet provides exemptions if the message is introduced by an operator who first obtains the listener's consent, or for "a prior or current relationship between the caller and the subscriber." The lawmakers noted that some political campaigns have interpreted the "prior relationship" exemption to include any registered voter. Removing the "prior relationship" language would effectively prevent a Democrat or Republican from receiving a robocall simply because they are a member of a political party.

The link they provide is actually to a release on a bill that has been introduced ehancing the robocall laws, but it has not passed either house. Either way, I don't think the candidates will agree because it's a cost effective method of reaching voters, despite how much people say they hate robocalls. I do think it's interesting to note how issue advocacy groups are utilizing technology to drive their message and encourage supporters to take action.

Jason Springer :: Group asks candidates to sign pledge not to robocall

Tags: new jersey, Jon Corzine, 2009, Chris Christie, Governor, robocall, (All Tags)

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Group asks candidates to sign pledge not to robocall | 2 comments

First Amendment (0.00 / 0)

Part of the reason why the FTC excluded political campaigns from the federal "Do-Not-Call" registry was concerns about the First Amendment. Turns out political speech receives the greatest constitutional protection, even if it's really annoying.

The mere suggestion that a NJ law could constrain political robocalls is absurd. (Setting aside the fact that bills are not actually, ya know, laws.)

Petitions asking the campaigns not to do them are fine -- as long as they don't try to argue the law prohibits them. NJ law does not prohibit political robocalls -- and even if a law did so, it would be wildly unconstitutional.

by: JasonCNJ @ Tue Sep 08, 2009 at 19:07:05 PM UTC

I don't agree (0.00 / 0)

with the legal opinion on this. I pay for my phone service, so I should be able to decide who may and may not contact me via it.

That said, I hope Governor Corzine WILL agree to it. That would show leadership. NO ONE likes those calls, so such a move may garner him a significant amount of votes!

by: sassypants @ Tue Sep 08, 2009 at 21:25:45 PM UTC

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