Monday, March 14, 2016

Montana Campaign Finance Laws

Missoulian: Court decision puts candidate contribution limits at risk
Ninth Circuit Court Opinion on Contribution Limits
Finally, we find that the public interest is closely aligned with the irreparable harm shown by the State of Montana. The people comprising the State of Montana have a deep interest in fair elections. See United States v. Gradwell, 243 U.S. 476, 480 (1917) (“[T]he people of the United States . . . have an interest in and a right to honest and fair elections . . . .”). The Montana contribution limit statute has long stood, not only to prevent corruption, see Eddleman, 343 F.3d at 1092–93, but also to create an background of fairness to allow candidates to plan their campaigns and implement their strategies upon the foundation of well-laid and understood groundrules. Given the deep public interest in honest and fair elections and the numerous available options for the interested parties to continue to vigorously participate in the election, the balance of interests falls resoundingly in favor of the public interest. 

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