If you are going to the American Political Science Association convention in Philadelphia September 1-4, we’d like you to know about a panel being sponsored by the Campaign Finance Research Group as well as two related panels. We hope to see you there!

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CAMPAIGN FINANCE RESEARCH GROUP

Round Table: Money and Politics, 2016

Sat, September 3, 12:00 to 1:30pm, Marriott, Room 411

On the weekend before the traditional start of the general election season, this round table will focus on what we have learned about post-Citizens United politics from fundraising and spending in the four elections since the case was decided. Was Super PAC and other non-party money (and advertising) in the presidential primaries a major factor, or largely wasted? What about in the less visible congressional primaries? What questions should we take into the general elections from lessons learned in this year’s primaries and other recent elections? How does 2016 so far give us a better handle on the systemic impacts of change in these past four federal election cycles? And what do we predict for the weeks between now and November 8 (Election Day)?

Participants: Robert Boatright (Clark U.); Erika Franklin Fowler (Wesleyan U.); Robin Kolodny (Temple U).; Michael Malbin, (University at Albany and The Campaign Finance Institute); Travis Ridout -(Washington State U.)

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LAW AND POLITICAL PROCESS GROUP

Buckley v. Valeo at 40: New Thinking, New Directions on Campaign Finance

Thu, September 1, 8:00 to 9:30am, Marriott 414

Forty years ago, the United States Supreme Court decided the case of Buckley v. Valeo, allowing some but not all limits on campaign financing in U.S. elections. In more recent years, including in the 2010 case of Citizens United v. FEC, the Court has moved in a deregulatory direction. What is the future of campaign financing in the U.S.? Do reform attempts lead to increased political polarization? Should the Court reconsider whether equality is a compelling reason for reform? This panel considers recent works and new directions in campaign finance law, including La Raja and Schaffner’s “Campaign Finance and Political Polarization,” Hasen’s “Plutocrats United,” and Drutman’s “The Business of America is Lobbying.”

Chair: Guy-Uriel Charles (Duke Law School). Presenters: Richard Hasen (UC, Irvine Law Scool); Raymond La Raja (U. Mass.); Brian Schaffner (U. Mass); Lee Drutman (New America); Diana Dwyre (Cal. State, Chico); Joel Gora (Brooklyn Law School).

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U.S. Federal Campaign Finance in a time of Transition Sat, September 3, 8:00 to 9:30am, Marriott, Salon KL

A group of academics are working together to identify what we do and don’t know about campaign finance in American federal elections. The U.S. system of campaign finance is undergoing a major transformation. The group’s efforts are being funded by the Hewlett Foundation, and we were convened by Nate Persily of Stanford University. The group is comprised of Steven Ansolabehere, Robert Boatright, Adam Bonica, Bruce Cain, Diana Dwyre, Erika Franklin Fowler, Kenneth Goldstein, Rich Hall, Keith Hamm, Eitan Hersh, Robin Kolodny, Ray LaRaja, David Magleby, Kenneth Mayer, Nolan McCarty, Jeffrey D. Milyo, David Primo, John Sides, James Snyder, Charles Stewart, Lynn Vavreck, and Abby Wood. Two prominent election lawyers, Robert Bauer and Ben Ginsberg, one from each party, are also participating in the conversations and facilitating contacts for the task force with the two parties.

Chair: Nathaniel Persily (Stanford). Participants: Diana Dwyre (Cal. State, Chico); Erika Franklin Fowler (Wesleyan U.); Robin Kolodny (Temple U); Travis Ridout (Washington State U.); David Primo (Rochester); David Magleby (Brigham Young); Jeffrey Milyo (Missouri); Abby Wood (USC Law)