Robocall challenge dropped

Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson's office says the conservative American Future Fund has withdrawn its request to strike down a state law that forbid political campaigns from making "robocalls" and instead requires live operators to conduct the surveys.

In November, the group filed the request with the Federal Election Commission for ruling. Swanson fought the request and apparently won.

Here's the release from Swanson's office:

America Future Fund Political Action, a national political action committee, has withdrawn the request it made to the Federal Election Commission to strike down Minnesota's law which prohibits political campaigns from making so‑called "robocalls" without the permission of the party called.

In late 2009, American Future Fund Political Action requested the FEC to strike down Minnesota's robocall law. The Minnesota law prohibits a caller from using an automatic dialing‑announcing device unless the subscriber knowingly requested, consented to or authorized receipt of the message or the message is immediately preceded by a live operator who obtains a subscriber's consent before the message is delivered.

"People have the right to be let alone in their homes, and robocalls are particularly intrusive and annoying to Minnesota citizens. The Fund's request to strike down Minnesota's law was misguided, and I am glad to see the request abandoned," Attorney General Swanson said.

On November 9, 2009, Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson asked the FEC to reject America Future Fund's request and uphold the State's robocall law.

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