Fundraising groups ACT Blue Grant Party Candidates access only.

Maryann Maltese, Challenging Candidate for NYS Assembly, recently learned that Private Sector Organizations such as ACT Blue or WINRED only permit Political Party Candidates access to online Political Fundraising Accounts, and not Candidate Challengers

I find the actions of Act Blue, and REDWIN are completely biased in making Business decisions to only permit Political Party Candidates access to having online fundraising accounts and not Candidate Challengers.

I opened an ACT Blue Account back in January 2020; which I could post on my social media platforms. Act-Blue-s answer- You can upload this to Facebook: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/friends-of-maryann-maltese-1

I agreed to open an online Campaign Account in order for Supporters to have easier access to donate to my campaign, Friends of Maryann Maltese. All of my paperwork to open an account was in order to have user rights to an online portal account and for Act Blue to determine to deactivate the account was inappropriate because Political Accounts are permitted to be open and operating all year round with NYS Board of Elections, said Maryann Maltese.

However, Act Blue determined that because I was not listed on the ballot-ACT blue determined not to grant me a campaign account. Why? that answer alone is not permutable. This is unacceptable business practices as Candidates can fundraise all year round-and for ACT Blue to only permit "Party Candidates the right and privileges of online user accounts-eliminates other candidates from communicating their platforms to online users. If we're challenging candidates in the hopes of a Primary-then business organizations; like ACT Blue, who pre-determine not to permit me or any other challenging candidate a an account is a violation of NYS Board of Elections Campaign usage rules and perhaps NYS Banking laws. By not permitting me an account-ACT Blue disenfranchised supporter usage-because these online services allow individuals to use credit cards to make a donation which is legal, said Maryann Maltese

As long as the donor is within state donation compliance rules; usage of a credit card through the online fundraising portal is permitted-so by ACT Blue and or WIN RED making arbitrary decisions to not "allow me as the challenger an account for my supporters to access is another coward-shallow-political move" of the establishment, said Maryann Maltese

Maryann Maltese, has 30 years of Campaign Management Experiences and has been listed as Candidates Treasurers for various Campaigns. Maryann is well versed on rules of compliance with grass root measures.

Not being granted online Campaign Account usage while my Campaign is active within NYS and we met all the filing requirements with NYS Board of Elections to have a Campaign Bank account-to be eliminated by deactivating the fundraising link or one's ability in communication with potential donors is another measure of FEAR-of just how awesome I am as a Candidate.

ACT Blue's premise is to permit Political Campaigns and/or Candidates access to setting up and offering campaign accounts for donor usage. Act Blue's decision to not grant me an account is biased-the National Democratic Party does not own them-they are private organization which made a discriminatory decision to only grant party political endorsed candidates accounts. I'm a registered Democrat-but not this years "Party Candidate" for NYS Assembly 12th AD-and legally-I'm still permitted to fundraise and for ACT Blue to disenfranchise me or any other Campaign from having an active account-is poor business management and prevents donors from having the online access that they deserve said Maryann Maltese.

As long as I'm in compliance with NYS Board of Election Rules on Political Fundraising account set up-there should be absolutely no reason why I was denied an online Campaign Account at any point during the year, said Maltese. I looked into other online fundraising venues-but they do not provide online account usage for Political Campaigns. Act Blues's decision- is outrageous-because ACT Blue's premise in establishing online Political campaign accounts would be universally permitted to anyone who has a Campaign Fundraising account information filed with NYS Board of Elections. By ACT Blue stating "only political party candidates can fundraise on our site-shows exactly how repressive this situation is as the challenger", said Maryann.

The ways in which online fundraising organizations, like ACT-Blue or RED WIN pre-determine which Candidate has online fundraising access and which Candidate does not have online fundraising access for Campaign accounts must be regulated and looked into. ACT Blue is a private financial organization-they have no right to deny me an online Campaign Fundraising Account at any point-unless I'm in violation with the NYS Board of Elections-which I'm not, said Maryann Maltese. Friends of my campaign inquired with me in April 2020- "Maryann I notice your ACT-Blue Account for the campaign-was not operating-which promoted me to inquire with ACT BLUE- upon their response ACT-Blue staff- advised They only offer services to Party Chosen Candidates and not challengers. That's illegal Banking practice here in NYS and doesn't support Consumer access whether you're the present Candidate or fundraising to run for office. By Act blue denying me legal usage of online political campaign fundraising site-it segregates power and is discriminatory.

I will introduce the bills in Albany to bring online fundraising organizations, such as ACT Blue and Red Win into compliance so they're not in position to pick and choose who they deem they can offer their services too only and to ensure better business practices by them. It is not theses organizations decisions to deactivate an account from operating, but it is NYS Board of Elections responsibility to determine-if my campaign is not in compliance, said Maryann Maltese.

To join Maryann's Election Law challenge-maryannmaltesefornysassembly@gmail.com. To make a donation by Mail-Friends of Maryann Maltese, ask me for the mailing address.