Court Cases
Public Financing
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
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
Duke v. Leake
The Brennan Center is intervening to help defend the nation’s first voluntary full public financing program for judicial elections.
– 11/05/08
AAPS v. Brewer
This case is the sixth challenge to Arizona’s optional system of full public financing for people seeking state office.
– 05/01/08
Anderson v. Spear
A month after the Supreme Court’s decision in McConnell v. FEC, the Sixth Circuit seemed to ignore McConnell in striking down many provisions of Kentucky campaign finance law.
– 11/01/04
May v. Brewer
Plaintiff challenged the constitutionality of the portion of Arizona’s Clean Money/Clean Elections system requiring a 10% surcharge on criminal and civil fines.
– 03/24/03
Ferlic v. Danberg
The Brennan Center intervened on behalf of two Nebraska office holders in defense of the state’s Campaign Finance Limitation Act.
– 01/31/02
City of New York v. New York City Campaign Finance Board
The Center defended the New York City public financing program against a challenge brought by former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
– 02/15/01