The Hatchet’s editorial board calls on the Joint Election Committee to hold the spirit of the law over the letter.

Before America held its first election, the great American pamphleteer Thomas Paine wrote, “the balance of power is the scale of peace.” It would be wise for the Joint Elections Committee to remember this as they delve into campaign violations hearings. In the past, the JEC has been fanatical in its application of the rules, and we call on this year’s committee to follow the spirit of the rules, rather than maintain its record of zealotry.