Judge strikes down more Montana election laws

HELENA (AP) — A judge has struck down more Montana campaign finance laws in an ongoing challenge that the regulations restrict free speech.

U.S. District Judge Charles Lovell ruled Wednesday that state laws requiring attack ads to disclose the targeted candidates' voting record and ban knowingly false statements in such ads are unconstitutionally vague.

Lovell also ruled that Montana cannot ban corporations from making contributions to political committees that make independent expenditures.

American Tradition Partnership and the 11 other plaintiffs are also asking the judge to rule that contribution limits also unconstitutionally restrict free speech.

Lovell says those claims will go to trial.

American Tradition Partnership is heading a separate lawsuit now before the U.S. Supreme Court that seeks to strike down the state's ban on corporate third-party spending in elections.