Supreme Court Strikes Down Arizona "Clean Elections" Campaign Finance Law

In a narrow 5-4 vote yesterday, the US Supreme Court struck down an Arizona public campaign finance law. The "Clean Elections Law' gave additional public funds to a candidate who adheres to personal spending limits of $500, agrees to participate in at least one debate, will return unspent money, and faces a high-spending opponent who does not accept public funds. The extra funding depends upon the amount spent by an opponent candidate. Proponents say the law was necessary  to "level the playing field" for candidates who accept public funds in their campaigns. The ruling struck down what was called an "unconstitutional violation" of free speech. The high court used free speech as a reason for another ruling yesterday that rejected a California law prohibiting the sale of violent video games to minors.

The Goldwater Institute's Nick Dranias, who argued the case before the court,  said "Justice Kagan misstated the facts in her dissent."