Category Archives: campaign finance

Ninth Circuit reverses on disclosure of top contributors by charities

September 11, 2018, 11:23 amcampaign finance, UncategorizedJustin Levitt

A Ninth Circuit panel today unanimously reversed a lower court decision barring California’s collection of IRS Form 990 Schedule B, which lists the top contributors to 501c3 organizations. This was an as-applied claim by the Americans for Prosperity Foundation and… Continue reading

“AP FACT CHECK: Tester did rank No. 1 in cash from lobbyists”

September 11, 2018, 11:17 amcampaign financeJustin Levitt

AP gives a thumbs-up to the claim.

FEC Approves Microsoft Giving Free Security Package to Candidates

September 10, 2018, 4:06 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

Late last week, the FEC unanimously (!) approved an advisory opinion allowing Microsoft to “offer a package of enhanced online account security services at no additional charge on a nonpartisan basis to its election-sensitive customers, including federal candidates and national… Continue reading

Eighth Circuit Affirms Invalidation of Ban on PAC-to-PAC Contributions

September 10, 2018, 11:56 amcampaign financeJustin Levitt

The opinion in Free and Fair Election Fund v. Missouri Ethics Commission is here. (h/t Richard Winger)

“Trump waives millions in claims against Stormy Daniels in new fallout from illegal payoff”

September 10, 2018, 2:08 amcampaign finance, chicaneryJustin Levitt

LA Times: President Trump has agreed to give up his right to pursue millions of dollars in damages against Stormy Daniels in a move to kill litigation over an illegal payoff to the adult-film star. The maneuver marks a… Continue reading

“Small Donors May Soon Be the Only Way to Fight Big Money”

September 6, 2018, 9:17 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Eliza Newlin Carney for TAP.

“Democrats Outperforming Republicans in Small Donations”

September 6, 2018, 7:45 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

WSJ: In 28 of the 30 most competitive House races and five of eight tossup Senate races, as rated by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, the Democratic candidates have outraised the Republicans in donations of less than $200, the Journal’s… Continue reading

“Kavanaugh’s Campaign Finance Record Shows an Atrocious Disregard for Precedent”

September 6, 2018, 7:42 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Stephen Weissman for Slate.

In 2003, Judge Kavanaugh Called Lower Court Decision in the McCain-Feingold Case to Uphold the Rules Limiting Corporate and Union Spending in Elections Strange and Dangerous

September 6, 2018, 7:29 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

You can find the leaked document here (via the NYT). He also correctly predicted that the case would come down the votes of CJ Rehnquist and Justice O’Connor (both in the end switched sides from their earrlier positions… Continue reading

“Company using foreign workers botches U.S. Senate campaign finance records”

September 5, 2018, 1:22 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

CPI: In September 2016, Bill Bledsoe pulled into a gas station in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and filled a Chevy Express van with $613,638 of gasoline — enough fuel to drive him to the moon and back more than 10 times.… Continue reading

Judge Kavanaugh’s Sloppy Illogic in the Bluman Foreign Campaign Spending Case: A Question to Ask at the Hearings

September 4, 2018, 10:18 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

In an earlier post, and in pieces in Politico and Slate, I explained how Judge Kavanaugh’s opinion for a three-judge court in Bluman v. FEC opens a huge gaping hole in campaign finance law allowing for foreign governments, entities,… Continue reading

Kavanaugh, Foreign Agents, and American Elections

September 4, 2018, 6:40 amcampaign finance, statutory interpretation, Supreme CourtJustin Levitt

Justin here, with my own take on Kavanaugh and the election process, also cross-posted over at the Take Care blog: In the 2016 elections, we were hacked. I don’t mean the breach of the DNC systems, serious as… Continue reading

“Brett Kavanaugh May Soon Unshackle All Rich Political Donors”

September 3, 2018, 3:46 pmcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

I have written this piece for Slate. It begins: By the time President Donald Trump runs for reelection in 2020, he might be able to accept unlimited campaign contributions to support his bid, thanks to his nomination of Judge Brett… Continue reading

“Corporations, interest groups spend fortunes on ballot measures”

September 2, 2018, 2:43 pmcampaign finance, direct democracyRick Hasen

Reid Wilson: Some of the most expensive campaigns this fall will be waged between the wealthiest corporations and best-funded interest groups in America, as those groups vie to pass or block ballot initiatives in states across the country. Voters in… Continue reading