Leslie Pryor, an Albemarle County Democrat, appears have committed several breaches of State elections law.
Virginia code requires candidates to place a visible “attribution” or “disclosure statement” on all campaign advertisements and related materials:
Section 14.1 – When Disclosure Statements are Required
A disclosure statement is required for all political advertisements which uses express advocacy to support the election or defeat of a candidate or group of candidates.
A Disclosure Statement IS Required on:
Billboards • Yard signs • Bumper Stickers • Cards or Business Cards • Sample Ballots • Newspaper ads • Newspaper inserts • Magazines • Advertisement disseminated through the mail • Pamphlets • Fliers • Periodicals • Websites • Electronic mail (E-mail) • Outdoor advertising facilities • Barns, baseball stadium, buses, etc. • Television advertisements • Radio advertisements • Online/Internet Advertisements • Online/Internet Video
Pryor, the Democrat-backed, candidate for the Albemarle County School Board Rio Seat (and present appointee to that position), seemingly has decided that the rules don’t apply to her—or perhaps she is ignorant of Virginia campaign law. As of publication, neither her campaign web site nor dozens of posted signs (see below) contain a “disclosure statement.”
It appears that in these cases, Democrat-endorsed Pryor has committed multiple violations of State elections code and therefore, she should be held accountable. But, there are larger questions at hand: Is someone who so wantonly disregards the law really qualified to serve on the Albemarle County School Board? And, most importantly, will the Rio District electorate hold her accountable?
