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Political Spending: Civic Engagement is Not a Threat to Democracy
January 1, 2018  •  By IFS Staff  •    •  

The First Amendment guarantees every American freedom of speech. That freedom includes the right to spend money on speech. Without money, a political group cannot buy ads, print fliers, organize protests, or hire staff. Short of shouting one’s opinions on a street corner, it takes money to spread a message. Recognizing this relationship, the Supreme Court has long prohibited the…

Political Contributions are Speech: Jeff Flake Edition
December 7, 2017   •  By Scott Blackburn   •  , ,

Arizona Republican Senator Jeff Flake recently made a $100 contribution to Alabama’s Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, Doug Jones. Along with the donation, Flake ...

No, “Big Donors” Aren’t the Only Ones Who Want Tax Reform
December 6, 2017   •  By Joe Albanese   •  , ,

A perennial tactic in political debates is to oppose legislation not just in terms of ideology or policy soundness, but also to attribute the ...

Brace Yourself for the Tax Ads, You Just Might Learn Something
December 5, 2017   •  By Alex Cordell   •  , ,

As the end of the year approaches, legislation that amends portions of the federal tax code is moving quickly through Congress. Unsurprisingly, over the ...

Let’s Talk Turkey: Comparing 2016 Election and Thanksgiving Spending
December 4, 2017   •  By Alex Cordell   •  ,

Over Thanksgiving, one of your relatives may have mentioned the amount of money ($6.4 Billion) spent in the 2016 election cycle, asserting that there ...

Let’s Talk Turkey: Comparing 2016 Election and Thanksgiving Spending
December 4, 2017   •  By Alex Cordell   •  ,

During the time-honored tradition of contentious political discussions at the Thanksgiving dinner table, one of your relatives may have mentioned the amount of money ...

Wave election possible because of Virginia’s campaign finance laws
November 16, 2017   •  By Scott Blackburn   •  , , ,

The recent election in Virginia was a wave. Democrats swept the races for statewide office. Republicans, previously a supermajority in the House of Delegates, ...

Broomfield, Colorado’s Ballot Question Reminds Us There is Room for Individuals and Groups in Elections
November 15, 2017   •  By Alex Cordell   •  , ,

On Election Day last Tuesday, voters in Broomfield, Colorado decisively approved Question 301; a ballot initiative that grants the city greater authority to regulate ...

Danica Roem’s win proves it: We don’t need to restrict campaign contributions
November 15, 2017   •  By Luke Wachob   •  , , ,

By Luke Wachob Roem outraised Marshall 3-to-1 thanks in part to large donations from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocates across the country. This was ...

2016 Online Ad Spending in Perspective
November 8, 2017   •  By Scott Blackburn   •  , ,

The use of online advertisements by Russia to meddle in the 2016 campaign has featured heavily in the news. Those in favor of more ...

2016 Online Ad Spending in Perspective
November 8, 2017   •  By Alex Cordell   •  , ,

In recent weeks, the use of online advertisements by Russia to meddle in the 2016 campaign has featured heavily in news stories. Those in ...

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