These reform solutions include ensuring transparency in both the funding of and spending by political campaigns, placing reasonable limits on that funding and encouraging states and localities to adopt public financing of elections. CLC helps enact such policies at the state, local and federal levels, and works to ensure that the Federal Election Commission enforces current campaign finance laws. CLC also defends laws that ensure voters’ right to know who is spending to influence their vote and our government.
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In 2023, Minnesota enacted a law prohibiting corporations with foreign owners from spending to influence Minnesota state elections. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce sued to overturn the law on First Amendment and federal preemption grounds, and CLC has joined the case as an amicus curiae to help defend the law.
Campaign Legal Center is participating in the defense of Maine Question 2, known as the “Prohibit Foreign Spending in Elections Initiative,” in four lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the initiative. CLC represents Protect Maine Elections, the ballot measure committee that was founded to help draft and enact Question 2.
OpenSecrets and Campaign Legal Center filed suit against the FEC after it failed to respond to their Petition to promulgate new disclosure rules for “special-purpose” accounts maintained by national political party committees. CLC and OpenSecrets sued to force the FEC to do its job and ensure full transparency of the funds flowing into and out of these supercharged party accounts.
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Date Range
Type
Apr 25
Removing Financial Barriers to Running for Office
CLC will host a discussion with experts and former candidates about these innovations — those that have already been implemented and others that have been proposed — and discuss what else can be done to break down financial barriers to running for office and make holding political office an obtainable goal for all Americans.
Thursday, April 25th, 2024
11:00 am - 12:00 pm ET • Virtual
Feb 02
Strengthening Democracy in Local Government Through Public Financing
Campaign Legal Center hosted a conversation with both activists and leaders who have helped to implement public financing programs as well as political candidates who have benefited from them.
Friday, February 2nd, 2024
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm ET • Virtual