[Federal Register: June 10, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 111)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 31159-31160] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr10jn99-32] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION [Notice 1999-8] 11 CFR Part 110 Candidate Debates AGENCY: Federal Election Commission. ACTION: Petition for rulemaking; notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: On May 25, 1999, the Commission received a Petition for Rulemaking from Mary Clare Wohlford, William T. Wohlford and Martin T. Mortimer urging the Commission to amend its rules so that the objective criteria for inclusion in Presidential and Vice Presidential debates is established by the Commission itself, and not left to the discretion of debate staging organizations. This petition is available for inspection in the Commission's Public Records Office. DATES: Statements in support of or in opposition to the petitions must be filed on or before July 12, 1999. ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to Rosemary C. Smith, Senior Attorney, and must be submitted in either written or electronic form. Written comments should be sent to the Federal Election Commission, 999 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20463. Faxed comments should be sent to (202) 219-3923, with printed copy follow up. Electronic mail comments should be sent to debates@fec.gov, and should include the full name, electronic mail address and postal service address of the commenter. Additional information on electronic submission is provided below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rosemary C. Smith, Senior Attorney, or Paul Sanford, Staff Attorney, 999 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20463, (202) 694-1650 or (800) 424-9530. [[Page 31160]] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 25, 1999, the Commission received a Petition for Rulemaking from Mary Clare Wohlford, William T. Wohlford and Martin T. Mortimer regarding the Commission's candidate debate regulations at 11 CFR 110.13. Paragraph (c) of that section states, inter alia, that ``[f]or all debates, staging organization(s) must use pre-established objective criteria to determine which candidates may participate in a debate.'' Id. The petitioners assert that the objective criteria for inclusion in Presidential and Vice Presidential debates should be established by the Commission itself, and not left to the discretion of debate staging organizations. Therefore, the petition urges the Commission to revise this paragraph to set forth ``mandatory criteria for participation in Presidential and Vice Presidential Debates.'' Petition at 1. Specifically, the petition recommends that the debates be open to any candidate that (1) has the mathematical potential to win the election in that he or she is on the ballot in enough states to earn 270 Electoral College votes; and (2) has proven his or her viability by having spent at least $500,000 on the campaign by the end of the month preceding the date of the first scheduled debate held on or after September 1 of the election year. In addition, the petition recommends that candidates have equal access to debates held before September 1 without regard to the above requirements. Copies of the petitions are available for public inspection in the Commission's Public Records Office, 999 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20463, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Copies of the petitions can also be obtained at any time of the day and week from the Commission's home page at www.fec.gov, or from the Commission's FlashFAX service. To obtain copies of the petitions from FlashFAX, dial (202) 501-3413 and follow the FlashFAX service instructions. Request document # 239 to receive the petition. All statements in support of or in opposition to the petitions should be addressed to Rosemary C. Smith, Senior Attorney, and must be submitted in either written or electronic form. Written comments should be sent to the Commission's postal service address: Federal Election Commission, 999 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20463. Faxed comments should be sent to (202) 219-3923. Commenters submitting faxed comments should also submit a printed copy to the Commission's postal service address to ensure legibility. Comments may also be sent by electronic mail to debates@fec.gov. Commenters sending comments by electronic mail should include their full name, electronic mail address and postal service address within the text of their comments. All comments, regardless of form, must be submitted by July 12, 1999. Consideration of the merits of the petition will be deferred until the close of the comment period. If the Commission decides that the petition has merit, it may begin a rulemaking proceeding. Any subsequent action taken by the Commission will be announced in the Federal Register. Dated: June 4, 1999. Scott E. Thomas, Chairman, Federal Election Commission. [FR Doc. 99-14714 Filed 6-9-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6715-01-P