First Drudge, Now FEC Boss Targets Local Elections For Federal Regs

The Democratic chairwoman of the Federal Election Commission is pushing to federalize state and local elections with new rules that would impose Washington fundraising restrictions on ballot initiatives where money comes from other states or countries.

Speaking to California's Capital Public Radio, Ann Ravel was asked about "dark money" in nonfederal elections. As a prior California election chief, she said a 2012 state case involving anonymous donors has influenced her view of federal involvement.

"That case influenced my views about the FEC and what the FEC should be doing," says Ravel.

Some states have and are tightening donor rules, but others haven't and Ravel seems to see a federal role there.

"It is really important for there to be a federal solution to the problem and really robust disclosure on the federal level," she said in comments that have raised eyebrows in GOP circles.

Ravel, concerned about foreign money being used in a California ballot initiative, recently tried to rewrite FEC rules to give the agency an expanded role. She would have redefined the word "elections" to include ballot initiatives, not just candidate contests.

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