Campaign Finance
Complete coverage for Campaign Finance can be found below. (Return to Issues List)
Information & Analysis
February, 2013
January, 2010
September, 2009
January, 2009
Commentary
2013
- FAQ on social welfare organizations (5/21/13)
2012
- Why Obama Won Ohio -- and the Election (11/07/12)
- Looking Ahead to the End of this New Year (1/04/12)
2011
2010
- The Rise of 501(c)(4)s in campaign activity: Are they as clever as they think? (10/05/10)
- Thoughts on the Alabama Indictments (10/04/10)
- The Occlusion of Equality in Campaign Finance Law (3/31/10)
- Citizens United: A Long-Term Perspective (1/22/10)
2009
- Line-drawing after Overruling Austin (9/09/09)
- Line-Drawing and a Proposed Constitutional Truce (8/01/09)
- Citizens United, Stare Decisis, and Democracy (7/31/09)
News Wire
Election law news from across the country concerning Campaign Finance
June, 2013
- Tester, Udall roll out constitutional amendments to allow campaign-finance regulation (6/19/13)
- IRS supervisor in D.C. checked on tea-party applications (6/17/13)
- The Next Citizens United? (6/17/13)
- Friends of Democracy to take on anti-campaign finance reform Dems and GOPs (6/17/13)
- Court loosens rules on political spending (6/14/13)
- Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler wrong to use state funds for trip, ethics commission rules (6/14/13)
- Actors Make Videos in Push for Campaign Finance Reform (6/13/13)
- Campaign finance bill would limit NY political parties' ability to pour money into local races (6/12/13)
- Two former state lawmakers fined for campaign finance violations (6/11/13)
- Ex-Councilman in Capital Is Charged With Bribery (6/10/13)
- The nonprofits that profit politicians (6/10/13)
- Was IRS Targeting Limited to Cincinnati Office? (6/10/13)
- IRS scandal could lead to better defining of nonprofit campaign rules (6/10/13)
- Lawsuit filed on Racine man's behalf challenging campaign contribution limit (6/07/13)
- IRS-targeted groups cry foul after playing GOP politics (6/06/13)
- Arizona Bar drops campaign charge against Horne (6/06/13)
- Lawmakers Debate Campaign Finance Package (6/04/13)
- FEC fines Michele Bachmann's campaign (6/03/13)
- In Congress, Legislation and Scandals Vie for Attention (6/03/13)
- Campaign Donation Case to Get En Banc Review (6/03/13)
May, 2013
- Nev. developer guilty of illegal campaign contributions (5/30/13)
- Critics fret over doubling of campaign-cash cap (5/30/13)
- Reid says he’s ‘sorry’ Whittemore is facing trial on campaign finance violations (5/29/13)
- As IRS scandal flares, a watchdog calls attention to other tax-exempt groups (5/29/13)
- Groups Targeted by I.R.S. Tested Rules on Politics (5/28/13)
- Donors Urge Cuomo to Press for Public Financing of State Campaigns (5/23/13)
- Pro-Rand Paul super PAC's name may violate law (5/22/13)
- Conservative group True the Vote sues IRS over being subject to heightened scrutiny (5/21/13)
- Elections and campaign finance bills draw bipartisan support (5/20/13)
- How the IRS seeded the clouds in 2010 for a political deluge three years later (5/20/13)
- IRS mess adds to campaign finance free-for-all (5/14/13)
- No opposition to strengthening Clean Election Act surfaces at hearing (5/07/13)
- Metropolitan Club debate violated election law, but feds won’t take action (5/03/13)
April, 2013
- Legislative deal keeps major campaign-finance loophole (4/25/13)
- S.E.C. Gets Plea: Force Companies to Disclose Donations (4/24/13)
- Dark-money bill progress reflects legislative corruption (4/24/13)
- N.J. Senate Democrats to introduce major overhaul of campaign finance laws (4/22/13)
- Legislative bill update: What passed Thursday (4/19/13)
- Assembly Democrats propose changes for campaign finance (4/17/13)
- Campaign finance shifts to House (4/15/13)
- Brewer increases Arizona campaign finance limits (4/12/13)
- House, Senate differences on campaign contributions threaten reforms (4/10/13)
- Super PAC sues N.J. over contribution limits (4/09/13)
- Judge throws out all campaign finance limits in Pittsburgh mayoral race (4/04/13)
- Lawmakers begin debate on/advance campaign finance bill (4/03/13)
March, 2013
- Campaign finance watchdog agency says outside Democratic group must adhere to contribution limits (3/22/13)
- Federal judge dismisses challenge to Colorado campaign-finance law (3/01/13)
February, 2013
- House passes campaign finance bill (2/26/13)
- Supreme Court Will Not Hear Campaign Finance Case On Corporate Donations (2/26/13)
- Arizona GOP wants new campaign contribution limits (2/25/13)
- House panel passes campaign finance bill along partisan lines (2/21/13)
- Supreme Court to hear case on campaign donation limits (2/19/13)
- Republican candidate George McDonald tries an unusual path to New York's mayoralty: the brazenly defiant fundraising scofflaw (2/18/13)
- Montana governor, GOP senator roll out reforms on campaign 'dark money' (2/15/13)
- House committee approves campaign finance overhaul (2/12/13)
- Campaign finance loophole may be plugged (2/08/13)
January, 2013
- Florida House leaders unveil campaign finance reform ideas (1/31/13)
- At the Races — Roll Call's Politics Blog FEC Increases Contribution Limits for 2014 (1/30/13)
- Campaign finance bills take heat (1/30/13)
- Florida group wants to end caps on campaign donations (1/24/13)
- AG’s lawsuit spurs William Lantigua to submit campaign $ report . (1/23/13)
- Mississippi campaign finance law focus of federal trial (1/11/13)
- Obama 2008 campaign fined $375,000 (1/06/13)
November, 2012
- Missouri House Democrats announce ethics, campaign-reform bill (11/28/12)
- Ethics Panel to Scrutinize Congressman From S.I. (11/27/12)
- States crack down on campaigning nonprofits (11/26/12)
- Proposed campaign reforms wouldn't choke off political cash (11/19/12)
- Spending by independent groups had little election impact, analysis finds (11/07/12)
October, 2012
- Judge clearing path for campaign finance probe into Arizona group (10/31/12)
- Appeals court allows Illinois campaign finance caps (10/25/12)
- Supreme Court won't block Montana campaign law ahead of vote (10/24/12)
- Mauled by Ads, Incumbents Look to Declaw Outside Groups (10/23/12)
- Mont contribution limits in place through election (10/17/12)
- Appeals court reinstates campaign finance limits (10/10/12)
- State appeals donation ruling - Campaigns eye unlimited contributions — for now (10/05/12)
- Federal judge strikes down Montana’s campaign contribution limits (10/04/12)
- California voters rejecting change to campaign financing (10/01/12)
September, 2012
- Appeals court reverses ruling on disclosure of campaign donors for some ads (9/18/12)
- Federal court case in Wyoming examines election law and free speech (9/13/12)
- Minnesota to keep enforcing campaign disclosure law; federal judge called part of it 'onerous' (9/11/12)
- Appeals court upholds Illinois campaign disclosure law (9/11/12)
- Appeals court rejects Minnesota corporate disclosure law (9/05/12)
August, 2012
- Facing FBI scrutiny, former Democratic candidate files amended campaign finance (8/24/12)
- Obama campaign first to accept donation-by-text message (8/23/12)
- Judge orders changes to Prop. 32 language (8/14/12)
- Top state court rules campaign finance laws apply to schools (8/13/12)
- Groups’ Campaign Spending Scrutinized in New York (8/09/12)
- Judge voids Fla. limit on minors' campaign giving (8/08/12)
- Dingell bill aims to reinstate limits on corporate PAC donations (8/03/12)
- Supreme Court overturns campaign finance law (8/03/12)
- Elections panel votes to defend public campaign financing (8/01/12)
July, 2012
- Former clerks testify at Orie Melvin preliminary hearing (7/31/12)
- Campaign Money Scandal Rattles Congressional Race (7/27/12)
- Group's suit challenges campaign contribution caps in Illinois (7/26/12)
- Hoekstra cries foul over rival's new ads (7/25/12)
- Baucus pushes for amendment on campaign spending (7/24/12)
- State Dems file formal complaint against speaker (7/20/12)
- Supreme Court candidate considering legal options after public funding halted (7/20/12)
- Tax-Exempt Group’s Election Activity Highlights Limits of Campaign Finance Rules (7/17/12)
- Senate to Vote on DISCLOSE Act Monday, McConnell Pledges Filibuster (7/13/12)
- Cuomo to push for public financing of state campaigns (7/10/12)
- Democrats to Ask for Curbs on Donor-Shielding Groups (7/09/12)
- Quinn signs campaign finance law loophole (7/09/12)
- State to investigate campaign finance complaint against Carl Persis (7/06/12)
- Gessler hit with another campaign finance lawsuit – but this one he may actually like (7/05/12)
June, 2012
- Democrats file complaint against Tarkanian (6/29/12)
- FEC wants Wright McLeod to spell out where $51,159 in 'payroll' went (6/29/12)
- With Cuomo, a New Group Will Push for Publicly Financed Elections (6/25/12)
- Obama’s Lawyer Demands Information on Group’s Donors (6/19/12)
- No New Trial for John Edwards (6/14/12)
- Maryland campaign donation loophole targeted (6/14/12)
- Regulators approve political donations via text message (6/12/12)
- Ex-Sen. Craig Sued Over Use of Campaign Funds (6/12/12)
- Former D.C. Council Chairman Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud, Campaign Finance Violation (6/11/12)
- Del. lawmakers approve campaign finance revisions (6/08/12)
- Whittemore pleads not guilty in illegal campaign contributions case (6/08/12)
- RI bill would increase campaign finance disclosure (6/07/12)
- Group accused of violating election laws (6/05/12)
- Conn. House speaker: No one bought my influence (6/04/12)
- Ken Miller violated campaign finance laws, political practices commissioner finds (6/04/12)
- Obama’s Lawyer Demands Information on Group’s Donors (6/01/12)
- Edwards Not Guilty on One Count; Mistrial on Five Others (6/01/12)
May, 2012
- With Ex-Aide’s Plea Deal, Clouds for Washington Mayor (5/24/12)
- Mandel Gives Back Donations that are Target of FBI Investigation (5/24/12)
- Stay the Course West Virginia sues Secretary of State over election code (5/24/12)
- Controversial Instructions at Core of Edwards Case (5/23/12)
- U.S. Attorney General's Office probe campaign contributions (5/21/12)
- Secret Political Donors Find Ways To Stay Anonymous (5/21/12)
- Montana AG urges U.S. Supreme Court to keep corporate spending ban (5/21/12)
- Magnate Steps Into 2012 Fray on Wild Pitch (5/18/12)
- Judge strikes down more election laws (5/17/12)
- Judge Blocks Testimony for Edwards on Finance Law (5/15/12)
- Loophole in Clean Election law allows private funds (5/14/12)
- John Edwards defense: prosecution theory OKs campaign-paid abortions (5/14/12)
- Edwards trial judge refuses to dismiss case (5/11/12)
- Former Rothstein law partner pleads guilty Friday (5/11/12)
- Arcane rules let Senate stall release of finance reports (5/07/12)
- Rival: Palm Beach County state attorney candidate Aronberg broke campaign law (5/05/12)
- Rothstein assistant sentenced to prison for election law crime (5/04/12)
- Jury seated in Julius Henson election law fraud trial (5/02/12)
- Vermont campaign finance bill dead for year (5/02/12)
- Campaign Finance Watchdogs File Complaint Against Illinois Congressman (5/01/12)
April, 2012
- Law change decreases use of Clean Election funds (4/24/12)
- A quick guide to the John Edwards trial (4/23/12)
- Edwards Trial Set to Begin, Reopening a Story of a Derailed Political Career (4/22/12)
- Obama Stands Aside as Election-Law Enforcement Weakened (4/19/12)
- Edwards' campaign judge drops 47 potential jurors (4/17/12)
- S.C. Ethics Commission plans hearing on Gov. Haley’s campaign finance records (4/11/12)
- ‘Super PAC,’ Eyeing General Election, Aims Blitz at Obama (4/09/12)
- Judge: FEC Didn’t Have Authority to Shield Donor Identities. (4/03/12)
March, 2012
- Romney under fire for PAC donation to anti-gay marriage group (3/30/12)
- Rangel to pay $23,000 fine for campaign violation (3/27/12)
- Can 46 rich dudes buy an election? (3/26/12)
- Maine House supports Clean Election law reform (3/14/12)
- Judge nixes part of Illinois campaign finance law (3/14/12)
- State Rep. Weddington indicted on bribery, other charges (3/13/12)
- Mystery super PAC may have violated election law (3/12/12)
- Former official pleads guilty to election fraud (3/05/12)
- Two ads aired 5 years apart spark fight over election rules (3/01/12)
February, 2012
- Houston-based super PAC targets incumbents in both parties (2/27/12)
- Campaign finance watchdog seeks Justice probe of ‘super PACS’ (2/17/12)
- PAC sues over state's campaign finance law (2/15/12)
- New Citizens United sequel (2/10/12)
- Deerfield Beach 'PAC Man' faces 2,052 counts of breaking election laws (2/09/12)
- Michigan Democrats propose campaign, ethics laws (2/03/12)
January, 2012
- Public, private interests gave big bucks to Beshear re-election effort (1/30/12)
- Maine lawmaker introduces bill challenging Citizens United decision (1/25/12)
- Montana attorney general wants law in place before review (1/24/12)
- Vikings report $350,000 spent in lobbying campaign (1/18/12)
- Stephen Colbert’s Super PAC Starts Buying Up South Carolina Airtime (1/13/12)
- A Big Check, and Gingrich Gets a Big Lift (1/10/12)
- Supreme Court upholds election law limiting foreign influence (1/10/12)
December, 2011
- Montana high court upholds ban on election spending by corporations (12/30/11)
- Law that limits big donations to ballot measures unconstitutional (12/30/11)
- Report: 2010 election showed big spike in outside campaign spending in Maine (12/24/11)
- FEC report: Buchanan and campaign ‘more likely than not’ violated campaign laws (12/22/11)
- Watchdogs file complaint over Perry ads (12/15/11)
- State wins 1st round in suit testing Montana's campaign disclosure laws (12/15/11)
- 7th Circuit strikes down part of Wisconsin election law (12/12/11)
November, 2011
- Clean Election consensus sputters, advocates say law in trouble (11/30/11)
- Pair of Perry Ads Test Limits of the Election Law (11/29/11)
- 3 Perdue associates indicted (11/28/11)
- Law firms dominating campaign contributions to Obama (11/21/11)
October, 2011
- Secretary of State (10/13/11)
August, 2011
- The 2012 election brings a new kind of fundraiser: The super bundler (8/16/11)
- S.F. Mayor's Race to Test new public finance law (8/16/11)
- Pro-Romney group confirms identity of mystery donor (8/12/11)
- Court Sides with Maine in Election Law Dispute (8/12/11)
July, 2011
- Gov. Walker Responds to Campaign Finance Allegations (7/11/11)
- Arizona Conservatives Scramble After Campaign finance Law's Defeat (7/05/11)
June, 2011
May, 2011
- Secret Donors Multiply with Finances Dwarfing Watergate (5/23/11)
- Nonprofit Challenges Arizona Campaign Law (5/10/11)
- Contributors Drive $500,000 Through Loophole in Illinois Campaign Finance Law (5/05/11)
- Finance laws offer loopholes for campaign donors (5/04/11)
- Lawmakers debate campaign finance act (5/04/11)
April, 2011
- Ariz. Senate votes to send Clean Elections to voters (4/19/11)
- Prince George's County Man Guilty of Violating Maryland's Election Law (4/14/11)
- Arizona election law heads to Supreme Court (4/13/11)
- Vermont campaign finance law hits snag in Senate (4/11/11)
March, 2011
- Arizona's election law is best left alone (3/31/11)
- Federal judge denies free speech challenge of Supreme Court election finance law (3/31/11)
- Arizona election finance law reveals high court rift (3/29/11)
- http://theweek.com/article/index/213615/arizonas-election-law-will-the-supreme-court-side-with-the-rich (3/28/11)
- Dayton introduces changes to campaign finance law (3/24/11)
- Libertarian Party Sues Federal Election Commission over Contribution Limits as Applied to Bequests (3/22/11)
- Supreme Court won't hear challenge to party spending (3/22/11)
- Common Cause says complaint against guv isn’t partisan attack (3/08/11)
February, 2011
January, 2011
- Public Financing For Presidential Candidates May End (1/27/11)
- The Incumbent's Bane: Citizens United and the 2010 Election (1/25/11)
- Now donors can give $100K to NY political parties . (1/24/11)
- 2 Supreme Court judges had conflict of interest in campaign finance case, group says (1/20/11)
- State Legislators Moving Forward With Campaign Finance Reform (1/13/11)
- Federal judge refuses to dismiss Scott’s campaign-finance lawsuit (1/11/11)
- Lobbyist gets 27 months for violating campaign finance laws (1/11/11)
- Complaint alleges Press Herald broke election law by donating ad space (1/04/11)
- Campaign-finance reforms in effect starting Saturday (1/03/11)
- UPI Story Explains the Campaign Finance Law Pending in the U.S. Supreme Court, Cao v FEC (1/03/11)
- Colbert's "Super PAC" Pushes the Limits of Election Law (1/01/11)
- Campaign Contribution Limits Increase for 2012 Election Cycle (1/01/11)
December, 2010
- New Ill. laws include ethics, stop-light reforms (12/30/10)
- OSU law expert reviews new 'Citizens United' disclosure rules (12/29/10)
- Alabama Gov. Bob Riley signs seven bills on ethics and campaign finance (12/22/10)
- Fox News Lawyers Up, Responds To Allegations Of Campaign Finance Law Violations (12/06/10)
- State Supreme Court agrees to hear new campaign finance challenege (12/02/10)
November, 2010
- High Court to Hear Cases on Microsoft Patent, Arizona Election Law. (11/30/10)
- Gansler commission to examine campaign finance (11/15/10)
- Court: No campaign finance limits for small groups (11/15/10)
- Law Professors Discuss Corporate Spending in Elections (11/11/10)
October, 2010
- Judge won't block Fla. campaign law enforcement (10/28/10)
- Feds unlikely to launch campaign finance probe anytime soon (10/27/10)
- Corporate campaign ads haven't followed Supreme Court's prediction (10/27/10)
- Election-law complaint filed against Southwest Ambulance (10/21/10)
- Gay marriage foes sue to keep donor names secret (10/20/10)
- Judge tosses out corporate campaign finance law (10/19/10)
- Federal Court Hears Campaign Finance Arguments (10/19/10)
- Clean Election Advocates Win U.S. Supreme Court Round (10/13/10)
- Chamber Of Commerce Suit Vs SEC May Delay Director Election Rule (10/13/10)
- A Lone Stance on Ad Spending (10/12/10)
- Court Denies Challenge to Maine's Clean Election Law (10/11/10)
- Federal appeals judges keep state campaign spending law in place (10/07/10)
- Maine campaign funding provisions upheld (10/06/10)
- Cook County Board to Mull Campaign Finance Caps (10/05/10)
September, 2010
- Libertarians challenge campaign finance law (9/30/10)
- Anti-gay marriage group sues over RI election law (9/28/10)
July, 2010
June, 2010
- Election spending disclosure bill faces House vote (6/28/10)
- Court decision could affect Clean Elections law (6/11/10)
- Voters face election-reform measures (6/04/10)
- High court refuses to block Arizona election reform law (6/01/10)
May, 2010
- Clean election rule's fate with high court (5/27/10)
- House Democrats say they have votes to pass new campaign finance legislation (5/27/10)
- Prop. 15 calls for public funding of elections (5/24/10)
January, 2010
- Court Denies Challenge to Maine's Clean Election Law (1/01/10)
- Maine campaign funding provisions upheld (1/01/10)
December, 2009
July, 2009
April, 2009
March, 2009
February, 2009
October, 2008
- FEC fines Martinez $99,000 for breaking election law in 2004 (10/28/08)
- Rossi to testify as scheduled, but no media access (10/28/08)
- Judge to decide on Rossi testimony (10/27/08)
- Wash. gov's GOP rival ordered to give deposition (10/27/08)
- DNC Files FEC Complaint Over McCain Campaign's Missing, Excessive and Anonymous Donors (10/25/08)
- Online campaign donations spark new concerns of abuse (10/25/08)
- Judge denies BIAW's request to drop lawsuit (10/24/08)
- Judge denies BIAW's request to drop lawsuit (10/24/08)
- Court Voids Election Law That Led To Ethics Ruling (10/21/08)
- Federal judge sides with Vt. campaign donors (10/17/08)
- Judge agrees with challenge to W.Va. election laws (10/17/08)
- Judges keep campaign finance law despite constitutional (10/16/08)
- NC elections board dismisses campaign complaints (10/14/08)
- Term-Limits Change Could Upend Spending Rules (10/13/08)
- GOP Wants Audit of Obama Funds (10/06/08)
- Opinion: Former Supreme Court Justices Seek Enforcement of Campaign Laws (10/06/08)
- GOP files FEC complaint about Obama's fundraising (10/06/08)
- G.O.P. to File Complaint Over Donations (10/05/08)
- Wash. sues state GOP on election mail (10/03/08)
- Judge Throws Out Injunction in Election Law Case (10/02/08)
- N. Idaho group faces campaign finance lawsuit (10/01/08)
September, 2008
- Judge lifts injunction, allowing election law enforcement (9/30/08)
- AG files election-law suits against builders (9/19/08)
- Group, under fire from AG, wants W.Va. campaign laws changed (9/11/08)
- Editorial: Judge needs to rule quickly on election law (9/07/08)
- Ethics board sees union bug on fliers that violated state election law (9/03/08)
- Ethics board sees union bug on fliers that violated state election law (9/03/08)
August, 2008
- South Plainfield mayor proposes new ethics rules (8/31/08)
- Legal Controversy Erupts Over TV Ads Linking Obama to '60s Radical (8/29/08)
- Online Political Sites Pushing Boundaries of Campaign Law (8/27/08)
- State finds election law violations (8/27/08)
- Collier school chair to file election law violations (8/24/08)
- Kitsap County auditor admits disclosure errors (8/11/08)
- Campaign bill's passage raises concern (8/09/08)
- Alleged Election Law Violation Is 'Common' (8/08/08)
- Law was ruled invalid in 2006 (8/06/08)
- Contributions raise questions about 'pay-to-play' in Evesham (8/05/08)
July, 2008
- Editorial: Campaign Finance Laws Under Siege (7/28/08)
- Editorial: Those McKenna ads: Public service or politics? (7/25/08)
- DSCC pushes the envelope with issue ads featuring candidates (7/21/08)
Litigation
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Commentary
Arizona: Voter Registration and the Road Ahead
Justin Levitt
June arrived with two election law cases at the Supreme Court. One is still pending: a highly anticipated decision on section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. The other, more frequently overlooked, was decided yesterday. And there are some quirks of the opinion that seem to depart from the swiftly congealing conventional wisdom that the states might actually have "won," and now need only run out the clock.
more commentary...