battlegrounds-aggregate – Voice of the People
Alaska Legislature’s last-day action could cancel campaign-finance ballot measure | Alaska Beacon
House Bill 16, which would reimpose limits on donations to candidates, may pre-empt a measure already scheduled for an August vote.
First Circuit Court of Appeals to Consider Challenge of Maine's New Super PAC Contribution Limits
Maine State Attorney General Aaron Frey, alongside a number of other defendants, have appealed a lower court ruling that nixed new regulations on Super PAC contributions that was approved by voters at the ballot box last November. Brought by the Dinner Table — a Maine PAC focused on “faith, family, and freedom” and dedicated to
Two organizations make last-ditch effort to overturn voter-approved campaign finance laws
PHOENIX – Two groups that support Republicans are making a last-ditch effort to have the Arizona Supreme Court kill campaign finance requirements that voters have approved.
Maine sued over new campaign finance law, but that was supporters’ plan all along | News From The States
Political action committees tied to a Republican state lawmaker filed a legal challenge in federal court on Friday to overturn a campaign finance reform Mainers overwhelmingly voted for in November. Those behind the reform welcome this lawsuit, however, as such a legal challenge is a key part of their plan.
RepresentUs, OpenSecrets Join Forces to Expose Super PAC Influence in 2024 Elections
In an effort to raise awareness about the staggering influence of PAC money in politics, RepresentUs, the nation’s largest grassroots anti-corruption organization, has partnered with OpenSecrets, a go-to source to track the flow of money in US politics.
Supreme Court declines to take up ‘dark money’ case
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up a challenge to San Francisco’s “Sunlight on Dark Money” disclosure law, which would have tested the limits of disclosure and free speech …
A Changing Campaign Finance Landscape
Democracy reform legislation must address the role of money in politics.
Idaho is awash in the corrupting sludge of political money • Idaho Capital Sun
Idaho – like the rest of the country – is drowning in political money. The corrupting influence of all that cash, most of it untraceable as to its origin, is hiding in plan sight. By general agreement at least $1.5 million in “dark money” – the money of millionaires and billionaires who are trying to […]
Money in politics: How winner-take-all elections make it worse
To understand money's pernicious role, don’t think of candidates being bought by their donors. Think of the "Pyramid of Money."
Surprise GOP campaign finance law proposal prompts walkout by Democratic senators • NC Newsline
In a surprise move, North Carolina Republican legislators unveiled legislation that would make important changes to state campaign finance law
Virginia Pro-Democracy Groups Rally for Reforms Amid Record Campaign Cash
With control of the state House and Senate at stake, Virginia's 2023 elections have broken state fundraising records. Several close-fought races have brought in around $10 million each.
If money-in-politics reporting declines
Hundreds of newsroom staffers have recently been laid off, not only affecting large media companies and established newspapers, but also hitting nonprofit outlets like The Intercept and shuttering local news site DCist. The layoffs underscore the severe funding challenges for independent journalism.
It’s an important moment to support Sludge’
Virginia state lawmakers quietly killed a bill to limit campaign donations - OpenSecrets News
The Virginia General Assembly let a contribution limits bill expire in committee without so much as a hearing or a vote.
After overwhelming voter OK, political ‘dark money’ law hailed as model
Arizona's Proposition 211 requires that independent organizations – whether an individual or a group – that spend $50,000 or more in an election cycle in a statewide race must identify
Most Americans want to limit campaign spending, say big donors have greater political influence
Americans overwhelmingly support limits on political campaign spending, and most think new laws could effectively reduce the role of money in politics.
Maine considers closing loophole that allows foreign government spending on referendums - KTVZ
By DAVID SHARP Associated Press PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine voters are poised to decide whether to ban foreign influence in elections, many of them irked over the $22 million a Canadian utility spent to fight state referendums on a hydropower transmission project. Hydro Quebec, owned by the Canadian province, exploited an election law loophole
It takes lots of money to win elections. Here's what you need to know
Elections are becoming more expensive as candidates vie for voters' attention. But there are strict rules about how money is raised, how it can be used and how to prove you're following the laws.
Questions on minimum wage, paid sick leave and campaign funding could be heading to Alaska voters - Alaska Beacon
One proposed ballot measure would raise the hourly minimum wage — currently $10.85 — to $13 in 2025, $14 in 2026 and $15 in 2027.
Disclosure of campaign donors matters | Editorial
The state Public Disclosure Commission's recent ruling does not bode well for candidates wanting to skirt new campaign finance rules requiring donor information.
Washington governor’s race sparks stricter campaign-finance rule
Washington’s high-profile governor’s race is changing the way campaign fundraising is reported and counted. That change is shining a spotlight on Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s campaign for governor after his
Business Groups are Following the Grassroots Around PAC Limits | Bloomberg Government
Your money’s no good here.
Opinion | New York Lawmakers Try to Sabotage Campaign Reform
A promising law to encourage more people to run for office is under threat from legislators who rely on big-dollar donors.
Albany's final session day: Election overhaul, campaign reform rollback, reparations
In the waning hours of the 2023 state legislative session, Albany lawmakers are passing bills upending local elections, rolling back a campaign finance reform, sealing criminal convictions and much more. Here's the latest.
Companies that publicly condemned legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community send political contributions to state lawmakers who advanced anti-LGBTQ+ bills - OpenSecrets News
State lawmakers who helped pass anti-LGBTQ+ bills raked in contributions from companies that condemned legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community.
New bill could bring big changes to RI political donations. Here's what's proposed.
Legislation introduced by North Smithfield Republican Brian Newberry would raise the $1,000 annual individual contribution limit to $2,000.
States and localities take on foreign-influenced political spending
Ki Hong and Sam Rothbloom of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP discuss bans adopted by states and localities to prohibit U.S. companies from making political contributions where they have foreign owners, noting that some bans go beyond the federal ban and raise First Amendment and preemption concerns.
Rooting out local government corruption in California starts by ending pay-to-play
A new California law takes aim at 'pay-to-play' in which special interests make campaign contributions to local officials to sway a decision.
New York steps forward as New Jersey leaps backward on campaign cash
New York is set to implement a new public campaign financing program that will match small-dollar donations, allowing candidates to rely on the support of everyday New Yorkers rather than wealthy d…
CA’s Contentious ‘Pay to Play’ Reform Law Survives First Court Battle
Share with friendsA state law limiting certain contributions to local elected leaders survived an initial court challenge. Thursday, a Sacramento Superior Court judge rejected a challenge to SB 1439 from several business groups. The law — which took effect on Jan. 1 — allows only political contributions of up to $250 for those who have […]