“Seattle’s Creative Campaign Finance Reform”
Democracy Journal on campaign finance vouchers.
Category Archives: campaign finance
“Facebook and the New Red Scare”
David Keating and Paul Jossey in The Hill:
Various interests have seized on Russian chicanery to push “reforms” lacking priority in less neurotic times. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) sent a “Dear Colleague” letter seeking new rules… Continue reading
“Montana political watchdog says Democratic Party violated campaign finance laws”
AP:
The Montana Democratic Party failed to identify the issues and candidates that benefited from its spending of about $375,000 on the 2016 general election, the state’s top election watchdog found.
“Secret super PAC backing Jones in Alabama exposed”
Politico:
A mystery super PAC backing Democrat Doug Jones in Alabama is controlled by a pair of groups closely aligned with the national Democratic Party, even as the candidate strives to dissociate himself from Washington interests.
Highway 31, which… Continue reading
“A Guide to Election Year Activities of Section 501(c)(3) Organizations”
Steven Sholk has published an updated version of his very useful publication.
Depending on what happens with the tax bill, he may have to write a whole new guide in January.
Must-Read Ellen Aprill NYT Oped: “Leave the Johnson Amendment Alone”
Ellen in the NYT:
Contributions to charities are deductible; contributions to PACs and section 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations are not. Because charities can have enormous influence on political campaigns with very little expense, many who wish to intervene in political… Continue reading
“New Alabama-based Political Action Committee spends millions to support Doug Jones, draws fire”
WHNT:
A new Alabama-based political action committee, Highway 31, is taking an active role in the Alabama special election for a U.S. Senate seat, and it’s drawn criticism for avoiding disclosure of its donors.
The group was formed in early… Continue reading
Free Speech for People’s Argument for Impeachment Investigation Against President Trump Built in Part on Campaign Finance Claims
See pp. 31-32.
“FEC Draft Ruling Would Require Disclaimers on Facebook Ads”
Ken Doyle for Bloomberg BNA:
Political ads on Facebook would have to carry disclaimers stating who paid for each ad, under a new draft advisory opinion set to be considered by the Federal Election Commission.
Disclaimer requirements for online political… Continue reading
“How the GOP Senate Could Supercharge Clinton-Style Joint Fundraising Committees”
“Congress could hardwire dark money into our democracy”
“The Dark Money Subsidy? Tax Policy and Donations to 501(c)(4) Organizations”
Brian Galle has posted this draft on SSRN. Here is the abstract:
This Article presents the first empirical examination of giving to § 501(c)(4) organizations, which have recently become central players in U.S. politics. Although donations to a 501(c)(4) are… Continue reading
Toobin Skeptical of Criminal Campaign Finance Charges Against Trump Campaign (But More Bullish on Obstruction Claims)
New Yorker’s Jeff Toobin:
Does any of this behavior rise to the level of criminality, and, if so, what laws might it have violated? Federal law prohibits political candidates and their advisers from seeking or obtaining contributions from foreign… Continue reading
“Internet Ad Rules Bring Together Strange Bedfellows”
Eliza Newlin Carney for TAP.