By Michael Gormley
The Board of Elections in a closed-door session concluded the state cap is “unenforceable,” said board spokesman John Conklin. The board Thursday decided the state’s limit can’t be enforced after federal court decisions following the 2010 Citizens United decision, in which the U.S. Supreme Court allowed corporations and other interests a freer hand in political spending.
The conservative Center for Competitive Politics, based in Washington, called the state board’s decision “a victory for the First Amendment rights of New York’s residents.”
“I’m sure there will be more influence by some people, but basically it gives challengers a better chance of mounting a campaign because most of the campaign finance restrictions that limit donations benefit incumbents,” said David Keating, the group’s president.
