Very Interesting Vermont Campaign Finance Ruling

Another interesting campaign finance case filed by the Right to Life Committees, and another interesting campaign finance case out of Vermont.  The decision on summary judgment denied the plaintiffs’ challenges to the application of Vermont’s law.  Along the way, the court offers an intriguing discussion on “major purpose” as a limit on regulating PACs, at odds with the Fourth and Tenth Circuits.  And an intriguing decision on refusing to find segregated bank accounts alone (without distinct accounting) sufficient to render an independent-expenditure entity distinct from a related entity making contributions, distinguishing the DC Circuit’s opinion in Emily’s List (and, perhaps, the Thalheimer litigation that Rick is working on in San Diego).

The case is Vermont Right to Life Committee v. Sorrell (II), No. 2:09-cv-188 (D. Vt.).

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