Category Archives: campaign finance

“California D.A.s Call for Ban on Police Union Money and Endorsements in Prosecutorial Elections”

June 5, 2020, 7:59 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

Eliahyu Kamisher reports for The Appeal: But a ban on direct campaign contributions will have relatively little effect on the influence of police unions, said Robert Stern, a former attorney who has worked extensively on California campaign finance reform. He… Continue reading

“Private Prison Contractor Continues to Illegally Spend Millions in Elections: CLC Appeals Decision”

June 4, 2020, 9:30 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

Release.

“U.S. Supreme Court won’t hear challenge to Montana campaign finance law”

June 2, 2020, 8:31 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Bozeman Daily Chronicle: The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up a case that challenged Montana’s law on disclosing the spending for political ads within 60 days of an election.In August 2019, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of … Continue reading

“China’s hidden targeting of Donald Trump one reason Facebook needs new cybersecurity approach; Too many loopholes exist for bad actors to influence our elections. It’s time for Facebook to get serious about closing them.”

May 29, 2020, 8:58 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Laura Edelson and Sheila Krumholz oped in USA Today.

“IRS Rule Change Could Aid Foreign Election Meddling, Critics Say”

May 28, 2020, 8:24 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

Bloomberg: Transparency advocates are looking for a legislative fix after the IRS approved a rule they say opens the door to allow politically active nonprofits to take foreign money to influence U.S. elections, without being detected.“At a time when… Continue reading

“FEC’s Prosecutorial Discretion Considered by Federal Court, Again”

May 28, 2020, 6:55 amcampaign finance, federal election commissionRick Hasen

Wiley analysis.

Nevada: “Former MedMen marijuana executive alleges manager pressured him into illegal contribution to Sisolak”

May 27, 2020, 12:32 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

The Nevada Independent reports.

“Senate confirms Trump appointee to Federal Election Commission, restoring panel’s voting quorum for the first time since August”

May 19, 2020, 3:22 pmcampaign finance, federal election commissionRick Hasen

WaPo: The Senate on Tuesday confirmed a conservative Texas lawyer nominated by President Trump to the Federal Election Commission, restoring a voting quorum on the agency for the first time since August amid a mounting backlog of complaints and requests… Continue reading

“Taking government money? Disclose your political spending: Companies should opt for transparency now more than ever”

May 8, 2020, 9:37 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

Bruce Freed NYDN oped.

“Push to Revive FEC Could Curb Court Action on Campaign Finance”

May 7, 2020, 8:27 amcampaign finance, federal election commissionRick Hasen

Ken Doyle: Advocates of stricter campaign finance law enforcement fear a Senate Republican push to restore a quorum on the Federal Election Commission could thwart their ability to pursue alleged violations in court.The Senate Rules and Administration Committee is expected… Continue reading

“Taking the Lead in Adopting Political Transparency in the COVID-19 Crisis”

May 7, 2020, 8:21 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

Bruce Freed and Karl Sandstrom.

“James Madison, Citizens United, and the Constitutional Problem of Corruption”

May 6, 2020, 4:08 pmcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Tony Gaughan has posted this draft on SSRN (American U. L. Rev.). Here is the abstract: One of the most controversial decisions in the modern history of the Supreme Court is Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. In a 5-4… Continue reading

“Supreme Court Delivers a Blow to Secret Campaign Spending”

April 26, 2020, 7:39 pmcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Ciara Torres-Spelliscy blogs.

“Joe Biden Starts General Election Nearly $187 Million Behind Trump”

April 21, 2020, 8:18 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

NYT: Joseph R. Biden Jr. and the Democratic Party could raise almost $1 million every single day between now and November, and he would still barely catch up to what President Trump and the Republican Party had in the… Continue reading