Senate Votes Down DISCLOSE Act
Jul 24, 2012
The Senate held two votes on the DISCLOSE Act on July 16 and 17 but failed to pass the legislation each time. The bill would have created new campaign finance disclosure requirements and made public the names of super PAC contributors. In an effort to control the rising tide of "secret money" – political campaign spending by unknown donors – the bill attempted to make the federal election process more transparent.
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Has the Supreme Court United Against Citizens' Participation in Government?
Jul 10, 2012
By refusing to hear American Tradition Partnership v. Bullock, the Montana case on corporate election spending, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed on June 25 that corporations can spend unlimited money to influence the outcome of political campaigns.
read in fullSuper (Loud) PACs and Soft-spoken Issue Advocates
Feb 7, 2012
Outside groups are spending nearly 1,300 percent more on broadcast advertising for the 2012 election than they did in 2008, according to an analysis released on Jan. 30. This is the clearest demonstration yet that Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission has fundamentally rewritten the rules for political spending.
Neither Death Nor Certainty for the 501(c)(4) Gift Tax
Aug 16, 2011
Anyone keeping tabs on the efforts of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to assess gift taxes on major donations to 501(c)(4) organizations should be wondering if the old adage regarding the certainty of death and taxes needs to be updated in the post-Citizens United era.
read in fullDisclosing Dissension: Shareholders Push for More Control of Corporate Political Spending
Jun 14, 2011
Although the Federal Election Commission (FEC) is again trying to implement the Citizens United decision, shareholders across the country are refusing to wait for more control over corporate political spending.
In the Aftermath of Citizens United, Courts Muddy the Waters on Political Engagement
Jun 1, 2011
While observers agree that Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is already transforming the way political campaigns operate, courts cannot seem to agree what the decision truly means.
Congress Fails to Address Corporate Political Spending before August Recess
Aug 17, 2010
Recent congressional actions highlight concerns over corporate involvement in elections. Before the August recess, Congress made several attempts to regulate corporate electoral involvement, including the Senate’s failed attempt to pass the DISCLOSE Act and the House Financial Services Committee’s approval of the Shareholder Protection Act. Though some lawmakers worked around the clock, Congress ultimately failed to follow through on reform before the recess.
read in fullNonprofits Active in Voting Rights Issues before Midterm Elections
Jul 13, 2010
As the midterm elections approach, nonprofit organizations are staying active in voting rights issues. Nonprofits have played key roles in the settlement of a New Mexico voting rights case, opposition to the state of Georgia's challenge to the federal Voting Rights Act, and advocacy supporting the Fair Elections Now Act. Through these and other activities, nonprofits are advocating for a process that ensures that their constituencies' interests are represented.
read in fullNonprofits Work to Restore Ex-Offender Voting Rights
May 18, 2010
Voting is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of our democracy, yet millions of Americans have had their right to vote revoked for periods ranging from the time spent incarcerated to a lifetime. Nonprofit organizations are playing a major role in efforts to restore voting rights to ex-offenders with felony convictions, and recent developments in Virginia and Washington State highlight the importance of nonprofit involvement in the issue.
read in fullSupreme Court Hears Arguments on State Disclosure of Petition Signatures
May 4, 2010
On April 28, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Doe v. Reed, a lawsuit filed by a political action committee in Washington State. The case could decide whether public disclosure of referendum petition signatures is permitted or if signing such a petition is a private political act protected by the First Amendment.
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