Montana Ballot Measure Targets 2010 Citizens United Ruling to Ban Dark Money
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 17
Montana Ballot Measure Targets 2010 Citizens United Ruling to Ban Dark Money
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 17
Summary
A Montana ballot measure is gaining bipartisan support to curb or ban political “dark money,” tapping voter anger over heavy spending by corporations, unions and other special interests.
Supporters say the proposal is designed to thread the legal needle of the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision, arguing corporate regulation could provide a path that survives constitutional challenge.
Jeff Mangan’s Transparent Election Initiative is leading the push, joined by prominent allies from both parties, including a former Republican governor and a Democratic senator campaigning together.
Montana business groups, the Republican governor and the state GOP already argue the measure would be unconstitutional under Citizens United, setting up a likely legal fight if voters approve it.
The effort could become a fresh test of the 5-4 ruling that treated independent political spending by corporations and labor unions as protected speech and helped unleash a wave of undisclosed money in politics.