Campaign Finance Reform In The News

PARTS OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAW STRUCK DOWN--5/1/03

A three-judge panel in Washington struck down several major provisions of the new campaign finance law this afternoon in a much-awaited ruling, setting the stage for a final showdown at the U.S. Supreme Court later this year that will determine the shape, style and bank accounts of the nation's major political campaigns.  To read the complete story from the Washington Post, click here.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM MAY BE UNDERMINED -- 3/13/03

Colorado voters approved Amendment 27 to their state constitution in the November 2002 elections, which calls for contribution limits. (link) Already, some state legislators are trying to undermine the new amendment.  To read an update from Colorado Common Cause, click here.

CAMPAIGN LAW SET FOR BIG TEST--12/3/02

The McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill took effect immediately following the November 2002 elections, and legislators opposed to the bill are already mounting legal challenges. To read a December 2002 New York Times article on these challenges, click here.

STALLED ON SOFT MONEY--3/19/03

To read a March 19, 2003 editorial in the Washington Post regarding the legal challenges to McCain-Feingold, click here.  --

AKRON CAMPAIGN LAW TO TAKE EFFECT--1/25/03

Akron, Ohio established contribution limits through a 1998 ballot initiative, setting a $100 limit for city council candidates, $300 for mayoral candidates, and disclosure for contributions of $50 or greater.  The law was ruled unconstitutional by a district court judge, but this ruling was overturned by 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.  The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case, thereby upholding the Court of Appeals ruling.  To read January 25, 2003 update in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, click here.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN CAMPAIGN FINANCE

To read the Brookings Institution's summary of campaign finance-related news, click here.

The materials in this section come from the Brookings Institution, the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Northeast Ohio American Friends Service Committee, the Campaign Legal Center and Common Cause.  ALICE would like to thank these groups for mapping the high road by reforming the campaign finance system in the states.

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