Posted August 6, 2009 by CLC Staff

Fourth Circuit Issues Strong Decision Upholding Campaign Finance Laws

On August 5, 2009, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued a decision in Real Truth About Obama v. FEC (RTAO), denying a request for a preliminary injunction sought by a 527 organization that sought to run broadcast ads during the 2008 presidential campaign attacking then-presidential candidate Barack Obama. The lawsuit was filed in the summer of 2008 challenging as unconstitutional provisions of federal campaign finance laws that required the 527 group to register and comply with restrictions and disclosures that apply to federal political committees.   

RTAO was denied a preliminary injunction in the district court and that decision was affirmed yesterday by the court of appeals.  The Campaign Legal Center and Democracy 21 filed an amici curiae brief supporting the FEC in the case.  To read the court of appeals decision, click here.  To read the amici brief, click here.