Disclosure
The most fundamental part of a campaign finance system is disclosure. Public disclosure of campaign activity gives voters a supplement to campaign advertising and gives them clues to candidates' likely leanings on issues. Disclosure also makes it easier for voters and watchdogs to detect exchanges of political favors for donations.The Brennan Center works on the state and federal levels to ensure that candidates and other political entities are required to disclose enough information to the public to allow voters to make informed decisions about their representatives. Most notably, in 2002, the Center partnered with Senators Russell Feingold and John McCain to push for passage of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, which, among other things, required enhanced disclosure of independent expenditures above a certain limit and those made within 20 days of an election. The Brennan Center's research also supported BCRA's provisions regulating disclosure and funding of "sham issue ads."
Federal Election Commission v. Wisconsin Right to Life, Inc.
This case concerns an effort to obtain an exemption from the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 for radio ads aired by Wisconsin Right to Life during the 2004 election campaign of Senator Russ Feingold.
Illinois Campaign for Political Reform et al. v. Illinois Coalition for Jobs, Growth and Prosperity
The Center is representing plaintiffs in two administrative proceedings arising from the 2004 Illinois Supreme Court elections.
Majors v. Abell was a challenge to Indiana’s “disclaimer” law that requires any advertisement expressly endorsing or opposing a candidate for office to explicitly disclose its funders.
Roll-Back by Supreme Court Lets Swift Boaters Paddle On
Recent weeks have seen a ratcheting up of promises by outside groups to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in the presidential race…
A New Tool for “Sunshine Week”
In honor of Sunshine Week, there’s a new tool for those of us who want to track campaign finance data…
There’s been a lot of talk lately about whether presidential candidates Obama and McCain have a “deal” to accept public funding if they are their parties’ nominees…
Illustrations by Risko
Surge in Political Spending By Outside Groups Draws Scrutiny of Legal Limits
New Brennan Center Playbook Explains Impact of Supreme Court Campaign Finance Decision on States and Judicial Elections
New York Campaign Finance Laws Fall Short
Brennan Center releases new research that details the problems plaguing New York State’s campaign finance system.
Brennan Center Statement on Ruling in FEC v. Wisconsin Right to Life
As we spend billions to spread democracy around the world, this decision deals a huge setback to democracy here at home. Any adman with a computer mouse and a modicum of creativity will be able to steer millions of dollars of special interest money into campaigns.
Comments on FEC Notice 2007-16 Regarding Electioneering Communications
National campaign finance reform advocates urged the FEC to limit exemptions to funding restrictions and retain existing disclosure of electioneering communications.
Money and Politics: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Remarks from the Governor of Arizona at the Brennan Center’s first Living Constitution Lecture
Summary of Supreme Court Decision in FEC v. Wisconsin Right to Life
It is all but certain that corporations and unions will pour hundreds of millions of dollars in treasury funds into electioneering communications in the next election.