There is a lot of work to be done as we march forward to reform our campaign finance system. Legislatively, bills have been introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate to provide for greater disclosure. The Supreme Court will also hear a case that has potentially far reaching effects on current laws and past rulings this fall.
Only a few short weeks have passed since Election Day, but it already feels like a lifetime ago. No longer are voters in swing states subjected to nonstop political ads, and the evening news is once again covering a host of national and international issues instead of just wall-to-wall coverage of the presidential campaign. But, Election Day was as much a starting line as it was an end point. Now is the time to reflect back on the 2012 election and look toward what’s to come in 2013.
Over the past two years and more, Leagues across the country have tirelessly and courageously stood up for voters in their state legislatures and in the courts. As a result, in many states, this organized assault on voting rights has been stopped or stalled. In fact, the Wisconsin League won another victory this week.
Twice this week, the U.S. Senate refused to allow full debate on the DISCLOSE Act, which would require complete disclosure of spending on big-money advertising in candidate elections. Huge sums of secret money are flooding into our elections and without full disclosure the voters won't know who is trying to buy influence.
Over two consecutive days, the U.S. Senate refused to allow full debate on the DISCLOSE Act, which would require complete disclosure of spending on big-money advertising in candidate elections.