Federal Appeals Court Upholds California Campaign Finance Provisions

Contact: Jay Wierenga, (916) 322-7761

.pdf version of news release

 

The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today affirmed the FPPC's disclosure requirements and Californian's right to be informed about where campaign dollars are coming from. The appellate court upheld the district court's order finding the Political Reform Act's $100 reporting threshold and post-election reporting provisions constitutional.

The plaintiffs in the case were political committees that supported the November 2008 passage of Proposition 8, which before it was invalidated, amended the California Constitution to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. They said their donors had been harassed as a result of Political Reform Act disclosure requirements, and argued the Act's $100 reporting threshold and post-election reporting requirements were unconstitutional in the context of ballot initiatives.

"The court's ruling today recognizes the importance of campaign disclosure and turns back the attempted infringement on the public's right to know," said Erin V. Peth, Executive Director. "The FPPC will continue its fight to protect these important rights."

The complete Ninth Circuit opinion is available.

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