a small step in the right direction

[twoeleven]

Judge's ruling invalidates FEC regulation allowing anonymous donations to 'dark money' groups

By BRENT D. GRIFFITHS | 08/04/2018 04:11 PM EDT

A U.S. District Court judge on Friday issued a ruling invalidating a Federal Election Commission regulation that has allowed donors to so-called dark-money groups to remain anonymous, the latest development in a years-long legal battle that could have major implications for campaign finance.

Judge Beryl A. Howell ruled the FEC's current regulation of such groups, including 501(c) 4 non-profits, fails to uphold the standard Congress intended when it required the disclosure of politically related spending.

"The challenged regulation facilitates such financial 'routing,' blatantly undercuts the congressional goal of fully disclosing the sources of money flowing into federal political campaigns, and thereby suppresses the benefits intended to accrue from disclosure ... ," wrote Howell, an Obama appointee to the D.C district court. The decision is likely to be appealed. [...]

money in elections is one of things on my mind for large-scale electoral reform, so i'm going to track down the full text of her decision, in order to say something intelligent about it.

Comments

[rebeccmeister]

Likewise. Thank you for sharing this, and I look forward to hearing more about what else you learn.