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Candidate Fights

Overview

Terms of Use

"Candidate Fights" are what we use to describe violations of our terms of use. Despite messages in the introductory letters sent to candidates and also messages on our website, candidates may use their opponent's responses to the PCT (or other Vote Smart data) in order to attack them. Most often this is in the form of a mass mailing, but we are sometimes quoted in radio and TV commercials as well. Once we find out about an attack and have a complaint from the attacked candidate that meets our criteria, we send out a press release to the attacked candidate to use in their defense. The Political Courage Test and Communications divisions work together on this, and are called the "Quick Response Team"

Examples of attacks and our responses can be found at /research/Active/Research Programs/pct/Records/2017-2018 PCT Files/2018 PCT Files/Administration/2018 Candidate Fights/.

The policy, process, and template releases for candidate fights should be verified between Communications, PCT, and Adelaide each year.

Candidate Fights Guidelines

Identifying the Attack and Gathering Evidence

1. Typically, we find out about candidate attacks through the PCT administration's communications with candidates. The Elections Research Director and DevComm Director need to be notified immediately in any instance where a candidate attack has occurred.
2. The candidate himself or herself (or their campaign) has to contact us and report the attack. We do not have the resources to monitor these things so they have to do all the legwork. If we do happen to come across an instance in which Vote Smart is being grossly misrepresented, we may choose to act on our own.
3. Do not promise the candidate anything! Explain our policy but do not commit yourself to sending them a press release or any other statement.
4. Let them know that we have to verify the attack before we can respond in any way. We will need a copy of the material: either a faxed copy of the actual flyer/advertisement that was sent out, a forwarded email, or a transcript of what was said on the radio/television ad or a transcript and web address for Internet source. For printed materials that went through the US mail we'd like to see the address of the recipient, which will show if it was mailed in the district. Then, we will want to review the attack and ensure that it contains not only the attack on the candidate, but that Vote Smart or its programs have been cited as the source for any of the information in the attack (using Vote Smart, Project Vote Smart, NPAT, PCT, etc. . . .).
5. We will need to verify immediately through an independent source that the material was circulated. The candidate/campaign must have their source contact us. The burden of proof is on them, not us. Examples of independent sources may include:

• Media source
• Post office
• Individuals(librarians are good but NOT someone connected with their campaign.)

Analyzing the Evidence and Preparing a Response, If Necessary

1. The Elections Research Director analyzes the attack and materials to make sure we are cited and that it otherwise meets our criteria for an Attack. Print a copy of the candidate's PCT (or other Vote Smart data referenced) and highlight the attacked sections. On the attack piece, highlight the relevant areas, the citation of Project Vote Smart (may also include our website, Political Courage Test, or NPAT), and the person/organization that paid for the ad. They then determine whether the attack uses our language/the candidates' language verbatim with absolutely no changes (then we use the mild release), or whether any of it has been changed, even if it is subtle (then we use the harsh release).
2. We DO NOT issue a news release for a candidate who HAS NOT answered the PCT (has 0% political courage), against a candidate who HAS answered the PCT. Check with Adelaide or Richard if there are any questions on this.
3. Be sure to inform Adelaide & the Communications Coordinator when you receive information that a candidate fight is occurring- they will determine the appropriate response
4. INFORM RICHARD BEFORE ISSUING A CANDIDATE FIGHT PRESS STATEMENT
5. Save the release, list of media it went to (if we know), and all the evidence in media drives.

Distributing a Response

1. We give the attacked candidate the news release as soon as the attack and evidence has been verified and tell them they can issue that release in their district.
2. Candidates will ask you if they can refer to us in a speech, or refer citizens to our site in their campaign literature. We do not condone the use of our database in partisan activity, but unless the material is used in a negative fashion, we probably won't respond. When candidates ask, simply explain our policy and let them decide for themselves how to apply it to their campaign. In practice, they can talk about their own PCT responses, otherwise quote their own record on our site accurately, or simply refer voters to Vote Smart. Where it becomes a problem on our end is when they cite Vote Smart to lend legitimacy either to an attack on another candidate or to misrepresent their own record.

Other Notes

1. We cannot remove candidates' responses to a Political Courage Test, but we tell the candidates they can make changes in their responses at any time and we will make those changes promptly.
2. Inquiries from the media about attacks should be handled by the media department.

Remember: We get involved only when we are clearly cited by name or program, and then primarily to protect our own reputation for non-partisanship, fairness, balance, accuracy, etc.

Template News Advisories

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• 2020-09-22 14:11:14
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