Category Archives: campaign finance

The Parallels in the TikTok Ban Case and Regulation of Campaign Spending by Foreign Nationals

December 6, 2024, 1:23 pmcampaign finance, First Amendment theoryRick Hasen

The DC Circuit has held that the U.S. government can force the sale or shutting down of TikTok because of concerns about the influence of the Chinese government over the actions of the platform’s parent company. Among other things, the… Continue reading

“Out-of-state campaign spending responsible for many of Idaho’s negative campaign ads”

December 4, 2024, 11:26 pmcampaign financedisclosure, transparencyJustin Levitt

The Idaho Capital Sun with a report on a fascinating campaign finance dashboard with some intriguing information.

“Campaign Board Head Hints Eric Adams Could Be Denied Reelection Matching Funds”

December 4, 2024, 11:25 pmcampaign finance, ethics investigationspolitical corruptionJustin Levitt

The subhead to this report from The City: “Executive director says Campaign Finance Board members will make “judgment calls” that could take into account a recent federal indictment for allegedly obtaining $10 million illegally in 2021.”

It’s time again to sell the Inauguration

December 4, 2024, 11:24 pmcampaign financepolitical corruptionJustin Levitt

The NYT on the price tag for access this cycle.

“How billionaires took over U.S. elections”

December 3, 2024, 10:12 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

Marketplace does the numbers … and I’m not sure this accounts for the value of billionaire-driven social media.

“Meta loses appeal, must pay $24.6M for WA campaign finance violations”

December 2, 2024, 11:40 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

The Seattle Times reports on Monday’s appellate decision regarding violations of Washington’s disclosure law. The state’s Public Disclosure Commission is quoted as saying the judgment is believed to be the largest fine imposed for campaign finance violations in U.S. history.

“A Chinese national, charged with fraud by the SEC, just sent Donald Trump $18 million”

December 2, 2024, 11:35 pmcampaign finance, election law and constitutional lawemolumentsJustin Levitt

Popular Information with a deep dive on the sketchy crypto thing that isn’t $6.2 million for a banana. Get ready for the return of (and four-year procedural turmoil over) the emoluments cases. Law review note authors: start your… Continue reading

“How Trump’s CIA Pick Funneled Congressional Campaign Funds To Himself And His Wife”

December 1, 2024, 6:34 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

Zach Everson, from Forbes ($), picks up where he left off.

Election Law Scholars and Brennan Center File Amicus Brief in En Banc DC Circuit Case on the Power of FEC Commissioners to Use “Prosecutorial Discretion” to Prevent Judicial Review of Their Decisions

November 26, 2024, 10:52 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

Important brief in a key case.

“Trump Is Running His Transition Team on Secret Money”

November 24, 2024, 9:40 amcampaign finance, tax law and election lawRick Hasen

NYT: President-elect Donald J. Trump is keeping secret the names of the donors who are funding his transition effort, a break from tradition that could make it impossible to see what interest groups, businesses or wealthy people are helping launch… Continue reading

New Interactive Data Base from the Center for Political Accountability

November 22, 2024, 5:57 amcampaign financeTabatha Abu El-Haj

The Center for Political Accountability today announced the launch of The Barbara and Morris Pearl 527 Interactive Database, a user-friendly interactive database created to shine a spotlight on under-the-radar corporate political spending in the United States. The database has two… Continue reading

“Supreme Court won’t hear challenge to Alaska campaign finance laws”

November 19, 2024, 7:40 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

I missed this news yesterday: More than 14 years after the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which removed limits on independent political expenditures by corporations and unions, the justices declined to weigh in on … Continue reading

“Inside the Republican false-flag effort to turn off Kamala Harris voters”

November 15, 2024, 7:27 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

WaPo: Muslims in Michigan began seeing pro-Israel ads this fall praising Vice President Kamala Harris for marrying a Jewish man and backing the Jewish state. Jews in Pennsylvania, meanwhile, saw ads from the same group with the opposite message:… Continue reading

“Clashes, confusion and secrecy consume the Harris campaign’s finances”

November 14, 2024, 7:54 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

NBC News: If Kamala Harris’ campaign was known for anything, it was its blockbuster fundraising. In just a matter of months, it crossed the $1 billion mark, in a stunning and record-breaking pace. Now, less than a week since… Continue reading