The Era of Citizens United Could Be Nearing Its End
3 hours ago
- #dark money
- #Supreme Court
- #campaign finance
- A Maine lawsuit is the most significant anti-corruption battle in America's legal system, offering the first serious chance in decades to challenge the Citizens United decision.
- Citizens United (2010) removed spending limits for super PACs, and the lesser-known SpeechNow v. FEC decision removed contribution limits, enabling oligarchs to anonymously fund elections.
- Dark money dominates elections, with $2 billion in undisclosed 'independent' spending in the last election, and super PACs outspent candidate campaigns.
- The Obama Justice Department did not challenge SpeechNow in 2010, missing an opportunity to limit billionaire donations and curb corruption.
- Maine's 2024 ballot measure limits contributions to super PACs, designed as a test case to challenge SpeechNow at the Supreme Court with new evidence of quid pro quo corruption.
- Proponents argue super PACs are not independent and can facilitate corruption, citing prosecutions like Senator Bob Menendez, aiming to use existing legal doctrines to limit donations.
- The case may succeed by working within Supreme Court precedents, offering justices a way to address corruption without overturning Citizens United, potentially impacting both parties equally.