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Political Spending: Civic Engagement is Not a Threat to Democracy
January 1, 2018  •  By IFS Staff  •    •  

The First Amendment guarantees every American freedom of speech. That freedom includes the right to spend money on speech. Without money, a political group cannot buy ads, print fliers, organize protests, or hire staff. Short of shouting one’s opinions on a street corner, it takes money to spread a message. Recognizing this relationship, the Supreme Court has long prohibited the…

Comments to Texas Ethics Commission Regarding June 11, 2015 Revisions to Proposed Tex. Admin. Code § 20.1(21) (“In connection with a campaign”)
August 6, 2015   •  By David Keating   •  , , , ,

CCP commends the Commission for continuing to proceed in the right direction with this rulemaking.  The amendments the Commission adopted resolve some of the ...

In the Dark about “Dark Money”
July 30, 2015   •  By Brad Smith   •  , ,

A short while back, on Professor Rick Hasen’s invaluable listserv, there was a spirited discussion about the meaning of “dark money” as used in ...

Comments to Montana Commissioner of Political Practices Regarding Proposed Changes to Montana ARM § 44.10.301 et seq.
July 14, 2015   •  By Eric Wang   •  , , ,

The Center for Competitive Politics (“CCP”)[1] submits these comments in response to your office’s initial draft of its proposed changes to Montana’s campaign finance ...

Freedom is winning the battle over money in politics: Should anyone celebrate?
July 9, 2015   •  By Brad Smith   •  , ,

Writing at The Washington Post’s Plum Line blog, Paul Waldman asks, (in the headline writer’s fair summary) “Republicans have won the battle over money ...

Five Misconceptions about “Dark Money”
July 8, 2015   •  By Matt Nese   •  , ,

“Dark money” is a pejorative term for spending on ads urging the election or defeat of candidates by nonprofit groups – typically 501(c)(4) social welfare ...

Comments to Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission Regarding Proposed Changes to Ariz. Admin. Code R2-20-109(F)
June 24, 2015   •  By Eric Wang   •  , ,

The Center for Competitive Politics (“CCP”) submits these comments in response to the Commission’s May 14, 2015 proposed changes to its rules purporting to ...

Comments on Colorado Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Rules Concerning Campaign and Political Finance 8 CCR 1505-6
May 21, 2015   •  By Allen Dickerson   •  , , , ,

On behalf of the Center for Competitive Politics, I write to offer comments on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Rules Concerning Campaign and Political ...

Significant Constitutional and Practical Issues with Washington House Bill 2256
May 19, 2015   •  By Matt Nese   •  , , ,

On behalf of the Center for Competitive Politics, I am writing you today to respectfully submit the following comments regarding the constitutional and practical ...

Significant Constitutional and Practical Issues with Maine Legislative Document 1192 (S.P. 419)
May 6, 2015   •  By Eric Wang   •  , , , ,

L.D. 1192 imposes disclosure requirements that single out by name political contributors whose aggregate contributions exceed a certain threshold, but the disclosure appears to ...

In Defense of Private Civic Engagement: Why the Assault on “Dark Money” Threatens Free Speech and How to Stop the Assault
April 20, 2015   •  By Matt Nese   •  , ,

The right to private civic engagement – the right to participate in politics confidentially as an individual or in association with others – is under ...

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