Meanwhile, in Kentucky, a federal court struck down $100 contribution limits for school board races. The court’s filing system is down, so I don’t have access to the case materials, but it looks like the case may be a Randall… Continue reading

The Fifth Circuit, sitting en banc, decided Cao v. FEC today, upholding federal limits on political parties’ contributions to, and expenditures coordinated with, candidates. Decision here. The Campaign Legal Center comments here; Democracy 21 here.

Confirming the primary-night winner.

Report here.

The news report is here.

I like the Super PAC label. And, with existing porous disclosure rules, comes complete with secret identity.

As this report mentions, though the case continues (the judge denied a TRO but did not dismiss the action), the ballots will be printed by the end of Friday, and the candidates will be on the ballot regardless. Part of… Continue reading

Snippet from this N.Y. Times article: “Lobbyists, political consultants and recruiters all say that the going rate for Republicans — particularly current and former House staff members — has risen significantly in just the last few weeks, with salaries… Continue reading

Over California redistricting.

Salon at the policy crossroads of campaign finance and tax law.

More on the allegedly fraudulent Maryland slate mailers, citing Eugene Volokh and Jan Baran, and the Deceptive Practices Act.

The latest in FEC v. Akins. Toward the very end of the opinion, an intriguing question (posed, not answered) about whether two distinct communications can, together, constitute express advocacy…

The article notes that one of the groups “targeted” House Democrats voting for health care legislation last year, but this year, after Citizens United, can specifically tell voters to vote against them.

A new FPPC report on California’s gubernatorial primary spending, highlighting some of the more extensively self-financed candidates of the last thirty years.