Federal District Court Rejects Argument that Corporations Have the First Amendment Right to Be Ballot Measure Proponents and that Proponents Have the Right to Remain Anonymous

The federal district court opinion in Chula Vista Citizens for Jobs and Fair Competition v. Norris begins:

This case presents two questions of first impression. It asks whether the First Amendment grants a corporation or association the right to serve as the official proponent of a local ballot initiative. It also asks whether official proponents enjoy a First Amendment right to anonymity during the period when signatures are being gathered. Having considered the arguments and the evidence presented, this Court answers “no” to both questions. The plaintiffs also ask that certain statutory requirements governing ballot initiatives be declared void for vagueness. The Court finds those sections are sufficiently clear to pass constitutional muster.

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