Some Delaware election ads would name people behind advertisers

Organizations paying for covered third-party election ads would identify key people and link to a contribution list. This covers third-party election ads worth at least $500 when an organization pays for them. Printed items under nine square inches are exempt. Ads would name the person in charge, controlling groups, owners with at least a 50% stake, and the five largest sources of transfers in the past 12 months, when applicable. The linked website would list contributions over $100 to the advertiser in the past 12 months and trace contributions from organizations to their funding sources. The election commissioner may exempt ads too small or brief to carry the disclosures. If enacted, the act would take effect immediately, with this rule put into use on July 1, 2028.

Covered foreign people and groups would be barred from giving or spending money in connection with Delaware state or local elections. This covers foreign governments and parties, people without U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status, organizations formed or based abroad, and groups under the stated foreign control. A group is covered if a foreign national owns or controls at least 20% of it or plays a major role in its decisions about political giving or spending. Candidates, campaign groups, and others could not knowingly seek, accept, or use prohibited contributions, including money routed through another person or group. The ban also covers certain election messages called electioneering communications. If enacted, the act would take effect immediately, with this ban put into use on July 1, 2028.

Covered groups formed outside Delaware would file an organization statement with the state election commissioner. This covers groups formed outside Delaware that register with a federal or another state's agency to report campaign money. Filing is triggered when covered contributions for or spending on Delaware elections exceeds $2,000 during an election period. Contributions to candidate committees or political parties do not count toward that amount. A covered group would file within 24 hours after crossing the threshold; if enacted, the act sets July 1, 2028, for implementation.

Campaign groups and other people reporting covered election ads would describe each ad and its intended audience. This covers candidate committees and parties reporting campaign ad spending, plus people other than candidates and parties whose third-party ad spending exceeds $500 during an election period. Reports would name each business or platform that made or distributed an ad and describe where it ran, its subject, and the area it targeted. For digital ads, reports would also describe the general criteria used to choose an audience. If enacted, the act would take effect immediately, with this reporting rule put into use on July 1, 2028.