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Two Organizations Gear Up For Philadelphia Elections

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The latest Philadelphia political battle comes not between two candidates, but between two organizations that are integral to elections in the city.

In one corner, you've got the city commissioner, who actually runs the elections. In the other, the independent watchdog group Committee of 70.

Tim Dowling, an official in the commissioner's office, says the committee must now file as a political committee--not as a non-profit--because they are participating in a legal battle over two council candidates in the DROP program.

"In state law, when you try to influence the outcome of an election, you are required to file and register as a campaign committee."

Zack Stalberg of the Committee of 70 says the legal brief was to voice an opinion, not to influence the election's outcome.

"We are not a political committee. We are a non-partisan good government group, and having been filing briefs like this for many, many years."

Stalberg says he has no intention of filing as a political committee.

Reported by Mike Dunn, KYW Newsradio

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