9th Circuit Hears Church's Challenge To Montana Election Finance Reporting Law

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday heard oral arguments in Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church v. Unsworth, a challenge to Montana's election campaign reporting laws. The Montana Commissioner of Political Practices had ruled that the church should have reported its support of activities in 2004 to get voters to pass a constitutional ban on gay marriage. (See prior posting.) Last Saturday's Helena Record sets out background information on the dispute. An audio recording of oral arguments in the case is available online from the 9th Circuit.