OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa, conducted an interim study on the use of dark money in Oklahoma elections.

The study focused on the use of dark money in Oklahoma elections and the challenges the use of dark money brings, recent examples of dark money use in Oklahoma elections, and court-tested opportunities for the Oklahoma campaign finance system to be tightened and more transparent. 

“I think our constituents are tired of being bombarded by anonymous ads, text messages and direct mail pieces trying to influence them to vote a certain way in public elections,” said Blancett. “Not only are they tired of it, but we all should be concerned about why these entities are trying so hard to hide who they are, and the nature of their financial interest.”

“Dark Money” is often used to describe election spending where the true source of funds isn’t visible to the public because it is shielded by using multiple pass-thru entities. It can generally take the form of negative campaigning against one candidate or state question. But it has also been shown to be used to influence the primary elections of the opposition, in an attempt to help a weaker primary candidate win, so as to create a greater chance for the preferred candidate to ultimately win a general election. “Dark Money” isn’t necessarily illegal due to the nature of how loosely disclosure laws are structured, but it is specifically used for the purpose of hiding the identities of the people who are spending money.

Blancett believes a deep conversation about how we can add transparency in the public election process is a responsible use of the Oklahoma legislature’s time. 

“I sincerely hope that all political perspectives can come together to make our system better for normal citizens, so they have greater faith in our electoral process and the importance of their role in it,” said Blancett.

Executive Director of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission Lee Anne Boone presented during the study. She explained that the basic principle behind campaign finance laws is that voters deserve to know who is trying to influence elections.

Oklahoma ranked 12 out of 50 states as of 2022 by the Coalition of Public Integrity looking at the structure of commissions with campaign finance jurisdiction and substance laws.

“Oklahoma is almost a top ten state in terms of the structure of our campaign finance laws, so that is something we can be proud of,” said Boone. She also pinpointed some specific action items that could improve the system.

Elizabeth Shimek, Campaign Legal Center’s Senior Legal Counsel for Campaign Finance also presented during the study about the Voters’ Right to Know Act in Arizona, a state question that was passed by more than 70% of voters. It made significant changes that resulted in greater transparency regarding the use of money in elections and what disclosure must be required of those funding the efforts.

The entire study can be streamed on the Oklahoma House of Representatives Website. 

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