Supreme Court to consider striking down campaign donation cap

Supreme Court to consider striking down campaign donation cap

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SALT LAKE CITY — A case regarding the amount of money people can give to political campaigns is going in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday and it could completely shake-up campaign finance as we know it. A sitting senator is taking part in the arguments and

This case deals only with the total donation cap, but University of Utah associate law professor Michael Teter says it could it could mean some big changes in the future..

"So the court is considering those aggregate limits in this case, and if the court strikes it down, it would signal that the court is concerned about any campaign finance limits at all," Teter said.


This case could spell the death knell of all campaign finance reform legislation, quite honestly.

–U. associate law professor Michael Teter


That could mean challenges to the system in place since 1974. People like Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who filed a friend-of-the-court brief, say it's about people being free to spend their money as they see fit. Others say it's about the very wealthy playing a greater role in funding candidates and political parties.

McConnell and his lawyers will argue contribution limits restrict the right of speech and association.

"This case could spell the death knell of all campaign finance reform legislation, quite honestly," Teter said.

Tuesday's case is on the overall spending limits but depending on how the court rules, it could signal they are ready to get rid of contribution limits that were first put in place in the 1970s.

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Mary Richards

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