Federal Court Rejects Argument by Pro-DeSantis Super PAC That It Can Give Its Contact List to DeSantis for Free without Violating Contribution Limits
This decision seems a sound and straightforward result. But of course the FEC could not agree.
Category Archives: campaign finance
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upholds AG’s ruling striking campaign finance ballot question
From the Eagle-Tribune:
The state’s highest court upheld a decision by the Attorney General’s office to reject a ballot question calling for limits on campaign spending by political action committees.
In ruling issued Tuesday, the state Supreme Judicial Court… Continue reading
“Michigan Democrats’ early campaign finance bills bolster union influence”
Craig Mauger for the Detroit News:
A committee within the Democrat-controlled Michigan House advanced bills Tuesday that would help labor unions, which frequently support Democratic lawmakers’ campaigns, raise money for political contributions.
Democrats won control of both the state… Continue reading
“How to Raise $89 Million in Small Donations — And Make It Disappear”
Follow the money at the New York Times:
A group of conservative operatives using sophisticated robocalls raised millions of dollars from donors using pro-police and pro-veteran messages. But instead of using the money to promote issues and candidates, an… Continue reading
Campaign Finance Games Begin: DeSantis Allies’ Controversial Plan
CNBC reports that “Allies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis are reportedly planning to execute a controversial money transfer to free up tens of millions of dollars to support his expected 2024 presidential campaign.” This is a further elaboration on a … Continue reading
DOJ Indictment of George Santos Alleges Campaign Finance Fraud, Conversion of Campaign Funds to Personal Use
Pretty blatant violations of the law if they can be proven. [The headline has been corrected.]
Justice Souter Fought to Avoid Applying “Exacting Scrutiny” to Contribution Limits in McConnell Case
Jimmy Hoover for the National Law Journal, examining the Stevens papers:
Among the many insights from Stevens’ papers are the once-private internal court memos in which justices offer suggestions or critiques of each other’s draft opinions in particular cases.
The… Continue reading
“DeSantis takes major step ahead of expected presidential bid”
Politico explains how a seemingly obscure move–severing ties to Friends of Ron DeSantis– is key to the viability of a presidential bid in 2024. Differences between Florida’s permissive campaign finance laws and the laws governing federal campaigns mean that DeSantis… Continue reading
“In Trump Case, Bragg Pursues a Common Charge With a Rarely Used Strategy”
The NYT works through the details of a falsifying business records charge and – despite the fact that there’s apparently no legal requirement to do so – the rarity of not making clear the underlying crime to convert the misdemeanor… Continue reading
“Small donations equals big trend: Experts anticipate small donors to play large role in 2024 election”
The Republic, out of Columbus, Indiana, really nicely connects a national trend to local giving practices.
“A government fund nobody uses just grew by another $4.7 million — here’s why”
Raw Story on the Presidential Election Campaign Fund: that $3 checkbox on your tax form.
Minnesota Governor signs “Democracy for the People” law
The bill, signed Friday morning, includes (among other provisions) opt-out voter registration, pre-registration for 16- and 17-year olds, expanded language access, protections against interfering with the election process, and prohibitions against spending in state races by corporations in which… Continue reading
“Bipartisan election bills address worker safety, poll closures, campaign finance and more”
One of the pieces of the “and more” finding some initial bipartisan support in Wisconsin: Kenosha News notes a welcome provision to let the state pick up the tab for special elections for state offices. Local elections departments need all… Continue reading
Two election-related state budget stories
In New York, the new public financing system (with a 6-1 match for small local contributions) gets some cash.
And in Florida, DeSantis’s election investigations office gets a 20% increase (though not the 280% increase DeSantis requested).