Two League members at an ERA rally in DC
Urge President Biden to Publish the Equal Rights Amendment With just months left in office, we are urging President Biden to act to ensure that the ERA is published.
Image of a young John Lewis behind a microphone
Support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act Tell Congress to protect the freedom to vote.
Protestor holding a sign that says "There's no planet B"
Urge Congress to Address the Climate Crisis Ask your representatives to address climate change and protect our youths' futures! 
A young Pennsylvanian registering to vote at a LWV event
Show Your Support Advocate for Voting Rights
View All Action Alerts
Register to vote
Register to vote - get started now at VOTE411.org
View All Action Alerts
By: LWV Staff

Supreme Court Rules in Key Judicial Campaign Finance Case

Press Release / Last Updated:

Upholds State Bans on Judicial Campaign Solicitations, Fortifies Judicial Independence

Washington, DC – Today the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in an important campaign finance case Williams-Yulee v. Florida Bar, upholding a state ban on direct campaign solicitations by judicial candidates.

“The 5-4 decision in this case is a victory for the voters,” said Elisabeth MacNamara, President of the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS). “Twenty-nine states have laws similar to the Florida ban. The court, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, found the Florida ban to be constitutional because it increases the public’s confidence and trust in judicial candidates.”

The League of Women Voters of the United States and the League of Women Voters of Florida joined an amicus brief on Williams-Yulee v. The Florida Bar, focusing on the constitutionality of a state prohibition on the direct solicitation of campaign donations by candidates for judicial office. The brief argued in favor of the prohibition because the public must have confidence in the independence and impartiality of judges.

“The League has been a leader in seeking campaign finance reform at the state, local and federal levels for more than three decades. The League joined in this case to further the simple goal of protecting government that is transparent and accountable to voters.” MacNamara said.

“The court’s decision in Williams-Yulee v. Florida Bar is an important step toward that goal,” concluded MacNamara.

###

Contact: Kelly Ceballos, 202-263-1331, [email protected].

 “Like” the League on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter: @LWV.

Related Content

League joins call for disclosure of presidential campaign bundlers

LWVUS joined a coalition of groups calling calls on presidential candidates to reveal their campaign “bundlers.” This letter follows up on a similar letter sent by this cross-partisan coalition in October. The letter was sent to all Democratic and Republican candidates as well as Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. 

Letters /
League Joins Effort to Encourage Disclosure of Campaign Bundlers

The League joined Issue One and other coalition partners on a letter sent to all presidential candidates encouraging them to publicly disclose information about campaign bundlers on a regular basis during the 2024 presidential election. 

Letters /
LWVUS Joins Coalition in Support of the Protecting Our Democracy Act

The League of Women Voters of the United States joined 55 other organizations to endorse the Protecting Our Democracy Act. 

Letters /

Donate to support our work

to empower voters and defend democracy.