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Ron DeSantis speaking with attendees at a "Unite & Win Rally" at Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona on August 14, 2022.

Soft Money Drowns Out the Voices of Everyday Americans


Soft money – money raised and spent on federal elections that does not comply with federal campaign finance laws – undermines transparency and accountability in our elections. Bans on soft money have been included in our federal campaign finance laws due to a broad range of corruption concerns. But federal candidates still attempt to circumvent the rules.

Without these bans, a federal candidate could use a state PAC to raise multimillion-dollar contributions from a billionaire, a corporate interest or any number of sources not allowed to give to a federal campaign and use those funds to support a federal run for office.

To give voters real power and prevent wealthy special interests from rigging the system in their favor, Campaign Legal Center (CLC) urges the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to hold violators of the soft money ban accountable. CLC has filed a number of complaints related to the use of soft money in our federal elections – against candidates seeking the presidency in 2024, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Read more.
The League of Women Voters of Florida at an event in Tallahassee.

Preserving Freedom of Speech for Nonpartisan Civic Engagement Groups


CLC filed a lawsuit on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Florida to block provisions of a recently enacted law that would restrict and penalize basic nonpartisan civic engagement efforts. When states limit the efforts of these groups, they also attack their First Amendment right to participate in the political process.

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For Noncareer Diplomats, Donations Substitute Diplomatic Expertise


The major share of America’s top ambassadorships are awarded to unqualified wealthy political donors. A new CLC report calls for an end to this practice. By improving disclosure and transparency in the appointment process, the U.S. has an opportunity to restore international confidence in our diplomacy and democracy. 

Related Video: CLC's Roger Wieand on the Door-To-Ambassador Pipeline.
Animated GIF of Blair Bowie discussing the state of felony disenfranchisement and CLC’s Restore Your Vote Program.

CLC Explains: Blair Bowie on Felony Disenfranchisement


Felony disenfranchisement laws that take away a person’s freedom to vote or make it difficult to get their rights restored weaken our democracy. CLC’s Restore Your Vote tool has helped over 338,000 people with past convictions confirm their eligibility to vote and gives media, advocacy groups and government agencies the ability to feature the tool on their websites. In this CLC Explains video, Blair talks about the large disproportionate impact of these laws on Black people, Indigenous people and other communities of color.

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The Florida State Capitol Building in Tallahassee, Florida.

Attacks on State Ballot Initiatives Silence Voters’ Voices


For over 100 years, ballot initiatives have empowered everyday Americans to bypass unresponsive state legislatures, pass popular policy & validate the will of the people. In a troubling trend, 2023’s state legislative sessions have seen politicians across America raise barriers to the ballot initiative process.

Read More.
Animated GIF of Campaign Legal Center’s Sandhya Bathija and Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC)-AAJC's Martin Kim and Terry Ao Minnis.

A Look Back: Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Heritage Month 

 
In case you missed it: Last month CLC’s Sandhya Bathija joined Martin Kim and Terry Ao Minnis of Asian Americans Advancing Justice -AAJC to discuss historic barriers to voting and participation in our democracy that are still blocking full participation from individuals in AAPI communities.

CLC Conversation: “Empowering Asian American and Pacific Islanders in Our Democracy”
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The nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center is dedicated to advancing democracy through law at the federal, state and local levels, fighting for every American’s rights to responsive government and a fair opportunity to participate in and affect the democratic process.

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