Minnesota Campaign Board Gives Social Media Advice

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota candidates and political entities are being urged to be upfront about disclosing when they're behind posts on Facebook pages, blogs, emails and other virtual material.

The Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board issued new guidance to state-level campaigners about how to avoid running afoul of disclaimer rules. In a single-page memo distributed Tuesday, the regulators made clear they consider campaign materials to include anything "disseminated for the purpose of influencing voting at a primary or other election, except for news items or editorial comments by the news media."

Even if making posts on Facebook doesn't cost campaigns money, the guidance suggests it still fits the definition of trying to influence voters.

Most candidates and parties maintain social media accounts that make clear messages are attributable to them.