The Supreme Court and Campaign Finance Reform
by Amanda Adams*, 7/30/2008
In Monday's National Journal, ($$) the "Rules of the Game" column examines how the Supreme Court, as some perceive, is attacking campaign financing reform initiatives. As election law scholar Rick Hasen says, "We could well be looking at a situation where the only campaign finance laws that are constitutional are disclosure laws and voluntary public financing systems."
It's only a matter of time, say some observers, before other core provisions of the election laws come before the high court. Indeed, Indiana election lawyer James Bopp Jr., who's led the recent string of legal challenges, argues that the time is ripe. "I think the soft money ban is readily susceptible to a First Amendment challenge," he said. That may seem far-fetched to those who brush off recent developments on the high court. But when it comes to campaign finance restrictions, this court is proving more than eager to embrace deregulation.
