Court Cases
Campaign Finance Reform
Center for Individual Freedom v. Natalie Tennant
The Brennan Center and other amici and its pro bono partner in defending provisions of West Virginia's disclosure law, arguing that the law is well within the mainstream among states that have adopted similar laws; laws which have been upheld repeatedly by the federal courts.
– 12/29/11
Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, Inc. v. Swanson
After an Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals panel upheld Minnesota's disclosure laws and ban on corporate contributions, the Eighth Circuit granted petitioners' request for an en banc review, vacating the panel's prior ruling.
– 07/12/11
Arizona Free Enterprise Club v. Bennett
The Brennan Center, with its pro bono partner, defended the Arizona Clean Elections law in front of the Supreme Court in Arizona Free Enterprise Club v. Bennett, a case challenging one provision of Arizona’s public financing system—triggered matching funds.
– 06/27/11
Wisconsin Right to Life PAC v. Michael Brennan
A federal district court in Wisconsin upheld the constitutionality of Wisconsin’s judicial public financing program. In doing so, the court found no merit to plaintiffs’ claims that the law infringed on the free speech rights of Wisconsin residents and political organizations, or their ability to participate vocally in the state’s judicial elections.
– 06/17/11
National Organization for Marriage v. Walsh
The Brennan Center joined Common Cause/NY and Citizens Union in submitting an amicus brief to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals defending New York state's election laws. The groups urged the appellate court to uphold the constitutionality of New York’s long-standing disclosure requirements for political committees, and to affirm a district court opinion dismissing the complaint and denying the motion of the National Organization for Marriage for a preliminary injunction.
– 05/09/11
Wisconsin Prosperity Network, Inc. v. Myse
The Brennan Center filed an amicus brief in Wisconsin Prosperity Network, Inc. v. Myse defending the Wisconsin GAB’s administrative judicial disclosure rule.
– 04/04/11
Respect Maine PAC. v. Walter McKee
Representing eight state legislative candidates and the Maine Citizens for Clean Elections, the Brennan Center filed a brief opposing an eleventh-hour motion to enjoin numerous parts of Maine's campaign finance system before the November elections. Plaintiffs' request to enjoin trigger provisions, disclosure provisions, and gubernatorial contribution limits has been denied three times: by Justice Stephen Breyer, by a unanimous panel of the First Circuit Court of Appeals, and by the Maine District Court. It was only then that plaintiffs made a renewed application for emergency writ of injunction to Supreme Court Justice Kennedy, a highly unusual move that has not been granted for the past twenty years. On October 21, 2010 the Brennan Center filed its Opposition to Plaintiffs' Application for a Writ of Injunction.
– 10/21/10
Green Party of Connecticut v. Jeffrey Garfield
On July 13, 2010 the Second Circuit issued two important decisions, upholding the majority of Connecticut's recently-enacted campaign finance reform system - including its groundbreaking public financing system - against a sweeping constitutional challenge.
– 07/13/10
Doe v. Reed (Amicus Brief)
In Doe v. Reed the Supreme Court decided whether the state of Washington can mandate the disclosure of the names of citizens who sign petitions for ballot initiatives. In an amicus brief that supports neither side, the Brennan Center for Justice urges the Supreme Court to craft a resolution to the case without impinging upon existing constitutional doctrine regarding disclosure laws in the sphere of money in politics.
– 03/05/10
Citizens United v. FEC (Amicus Brief)
The Brennan Center for Justice - serving as counsel for itself and several new media journalists - filed a supplemental amicus curiae brief in Citizens United v. FEC. The brief urged the Supreme Court to preserve landmark precedents that support limits on corporate spending in elections.
– 01/21/10