McComish v. Bennett is A Poorly Reasoned Decision

But Public Financing of Elections Survives

Washington, DC – The League of Women Voters today expressed profound disappointment at the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in McComish v. Bennett.

“Unfortunately today, we see another poorly reasoned decision by the Supreme Court on campaign finance, one that is untethered to the Constitution,” said Elisabeth MacNamara, national president of the League of Women Voters.  “While the McComish decision is another blow by this Court against clean elections, public financing itself has not been put in jeopardy.”

The League alongside seven other public interest groups filed an amicus brief with the U.S Supreme Court earlier this year.  The amicus based its arguments primarily on the legal principles set forth in Buckley v. Valeo, the decades-old precedent upholding campaign finance reform efforts.  According to the brief, “the legal principles set forth in Buckley in its review of the presidential system govern this Court’s review of the challenged provisions and compel the conclusion that the trigger provisions of Arizona’s Citizens’ Clean Elections Act (“Act”) are constitutional.”

“The League believes in the need for campaign finance reform and has fought for decades in support of public financing systems,” concluded MacNamara.  “The Court’s watering down of protections against corruption in our elections  is profoundly disappointing.  We will continue to fight for public financing of elections because it protects the very integrity of our democratic form of government.”

The full text of the League’s amicus brief in this case can be found here.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership in the League is open to men and women of all ages.