Open Debates Calls for the Revocation of the Commission on Presidential Debates? Tax-Exempt Status - April 19, 2004 Vol.5, No.8

April 19, 2004 Vol.5, No.8:

Published: 04/19/2004

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Open Debates Calls for the Revocation of the Commission on Presidential Debates? Tax-Exempt Status

Open Debates, a coalition of reform groups, filed a complaint at the IRS last week asking that it revoke the tax-exempt status of the 501(c)(3) organization in charge of general election presidential debates.

The complaint states that the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) violates Section 501(c)(3) of the tax Code, which prohibits intervening in support or in opposition to any candidate or party in a political campaign. Open Debates believes that by not letting non-majority party candidates participate in presidential debates, CPD is intervening in support of the two majority political parties. By promoting a bipartisan agenda, CPD is also shielding the presidential candidates from criticism.

501(c)(3) organizations that host candidate debates and forums must do so in a nonpartisan manner. All viable candidates must be asked to participate in the debate. A nonpartisan coalition comprised of national civic leaders committed to maximizing voter education hopes to replace the Commission on Presidential Debates in sponsoring the presidential debates. Open Debates is among the many organizations involved in The Citizens' Debate Commission coalition, some of the other organizations include: The American Cause, Youth Vote Coalition, Friends of the Earth, Judicial Watch, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, Rock the Vote, ReclaimDemocracy.org, Center for Responsive Politics, Family Research Council, Common Cause, TransAfrica Forum, Federation for American Immigration Reform, Center for Economic and Policy Research, and Free Congress Foundation.