Tag: campaign finance

81% of Americans Say Money Controls Politics – Can a Constitutional Amendment Fix It?
81% of Americans Say Money Controls Politics – Can a Constitutional Amendment Fix It?
Polls consistently show that nearly all Americans across the political spectrum agree that there is too much money in politics – whether from foreign sources, corporations, or so-called “dark money” groups. ...
23 Feb, 2026
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13 min read
83% Want Voter ID - So Why Is Congress Fighting It? SAVE Act Explained
83% Want Voter ID - So Why Is Congress Fighting It? SAVE Act Explained
Throughout this episode of the Independent Voter Podcast, the central theme remains clear: Americans broadly support common-sense reforms to strengthen election integrity and government accountability, but partisan strategy and fundraising incentives continue to stall meaningful change....
16 Feb, 2026
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2 min read
Poll: Americans Reject 'Money = Speech' by Landslide; Want Power Back from Supreme Court
Poll: Americans Reject 'Money = Speech' by Landslide; Want Power Back from Supreme Court
A new poll from American Promise shows most Americans across the political spectrum agree: Money is not speech and unlimited political spending should not be protected as such under the First Amendment....
03 Feb, 2026
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4 min read
Leticia Castillo Doesn’t Fit California’s Political Boxes, and Neither Does Her District
Leticia Castillo Doesn’t Fit California’s Political Boxes, and Neither Does Her District
The new 58th Assembly District, previously AD60 before California’s 2021 redistricting, is considered the birthplace of California’s citrus industry. ...
19 Jan, 2026
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10 min read
FEC's Final Action Before Its Latest Shutdown Was Fining California Rep. Maxine Waters
FEC's Final Action Before Its Latest Shutdown Was Fining California Rep. Maxine Waters
We now know what final action the FEC was able to take before it effectively shut down in May due to a lack of quorum. The FEC voted unanimously 4-0 on April 29 to fine California US Rep. Maxine Waters $68,000 for violating several campaign finance laws, according to recently published documents fro...
03 Jun, 2025
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2 min read
Maine’s New Law to Limit Super PACs Has First Hearing in Federal Court
Maine’s New Law to Limit Super PACs Has First Hearing in Federal Court
A legal showdown over the future of campaign finance laws in Maine — and potentially nationwide — begins May 22 as a federal judge is set to hear oral arguments over a voter-approved cap on contributions to super PACs at a time when these groups continue to shatter records in election spending....
19 May, 2025
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3 min read
Partisan Gridlock and the FEC: 50 Years of Increasing Paralysis
Partisan Gridlock and the FEC: 50 Years of Increasing Paralysis
Many voters may not be aware that on May 1 the Federal Election Commission (FEC) lost its ability to enforce federal campaign finance and election laws after Republican Allen Dickerson departed the agency, leaving it without the quorum it needs to perform its most important roles....
19 May, 2025
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5 min read
Who Really Pays for Congress? Local Donors All But Disappear in 2024
Who Really Pays for Congress? Local Donors All But Disappear in 2024
There is an old saying: All politics is local. However, many voters may get the impression this is becoming less and less a reality -- particularly in US House and Senate elections where candidates are elected to represent specific districts or states, but campaign to a national audience....
06 May, 2025
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3 min read
Sanders and AOC Wrap 'Fighting Oligarchy' Tour and Bernie Takes the Mic at Coachella
Sanders and AOC Wrap 'Fighting Oligarchy' Tour and Bernie Takes the Mic at Coachella
US Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrapped up their Fighting Oligarchy Tour on April 16, after a five-day, seven-stop sweep through the West that drew nearly 150,000 people—capping it off with an unexpected appearance by Sanders at the Coachella music festival....
18 Apr, 2025
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3 min read
Cory Booker Just Delivered the Longest Senate Speech in US History
Cory Booker Just Delivered the Longest Senate Speech in US History
Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey made history with a marathon speech on the Senate floor, surpassing 24 hours in a sweeping protest against the policies of former President Donald Trump....
01 Apr, 2025
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2 min read
Super PAC Spending Tops $49 Million in Most Expensive State Judicial Election in History
Super PAC Spending Tops $49 Million in Most Expensive State Judicial Election in History
According to Buying Time 2025 election spending data as of March 26, 2025, more than $81.4 million has been spent on the Wisconsin Supreme Court race between Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford and Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Brad Schimel, making it the most expensive state judici...
27 Mar, 2025
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4 min read
Super PACs Drive Record Spending in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race
Super PACs Drive Record Spending in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race
Early voting starts March 18 in Wisconsin’s high-stakes Supreme Court race. Super PACs have fueled record-breaking spending, which is now close to $59 million and has surpassed the previous record set in 2023 for a state Supreme Court election....
18 Mar, 2025
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3 min read