Disclosure

Campaign Finance Red Tape: Strangling Free Speech & Political Debate

Published on October 1, 2007
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Twenty-four states provide citizens the ability to make laws directly through ballot measures. However, these states also strictly restrict the First Amendment rights of citizens to speak out about these ballot measures. As such, various disclosure requirements result in complex registration and reporting requirements that are difficult for even the most highly educated citizens to decipher. In an effort to prove this, the author used an innovative experiment, where a sample of 255 citizens was asked to complete actual disclosure forms. Unsurprisingly, not one person completed the forms correctly. Using these findings, the author argues that these disclosure laws are both unnecessary and an obstacle to the free speech guaranteed to all.

Filed Under: Disclosure, Expenditure, First Amendment, Independent Speech, Issue Advocacy, Research, campaign contributions, Contribution, Contributions & Limits, Disclosure, Expenditure, California, Colorado, Missouri

H.R. 2093

Published on May 2, 2007
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Text of H.R. 2093, the grassroots lobbying disclosure proposal introduced by former Representative Marty Meehan (D-MA) in the 110th Congress.

Filed Under: Disclosure, Lobbying, Research, lobbying, lobbyist, Disclosure, Lobbying

Disclosure Costs: Unintended Consequences of Campaign Finance Reform

Published on March 1, 2007
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A prominent feature of campaign finance regulation is mandatory disclosure of contributions and the personal information of contributors. This regulation is in effect for both candidate elections and ballot issue elections. Although disclosure is heralded by its proponents as a necessary measure to prevent corruption, in actuality it generates privacy concerns for individuals wishing to express their First Amendment rights. By means of a six state public opinion survey, the authors highlight the widespread lack of public awareness regarding the real effects of disclosure and the resultant opinions of these citizens who realize what disclosure really means for their own privacy. To remedy this problem, the authors present a voluntary disclosure system.

Filed Under: Disclosure, Research, Disclosure, Disclosure, California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Ohio, Washington

Campaign Finance Laws and Political Efficacy: Evidence from the States

Published on August 1, 2006
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The decline of political efficacy and trust in the United States is often linked to the rise of money in politics. Both the courts and reform advocates justify restrictions on campaign donations and spending as necessary for the improvement of links between the government and the governed.

Filed Under: Contributions & Limits, Disclosure, Research, Contribution limits, Disclosure, milyo, primo, Contributions & Limits, Disclosure

Mrs. McIntyre’s Checkbook: Privacy Costs of Political Contribution Disclosure

Published on September 1, 2003
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This article takes a critical look at the popular consensus that “sunshine is the best disinfectant,” when it comes to disclosure of political contributions. The author examines disclosure laws that apply to individual contributions and the privacy issues inherent in increased mandated disclosure, especially as they apply to smaller amounts. He concludes by suggesting policymakers look beyond disclosure as a way to increase fairness, openness, equality and robust debate.

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Disclosure