Fifth Circuit Upholds Mississippi Campaign Finance Law - State and Federal Communications

November 18, 2014  •  

Fifth Circuit Upholds Mississippi Campaign Finance Law

US-CourtOfAppeals-5thCircuit-SealThe United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld a Mississippi campaign finance disclosure law, reversing the district court’s ruling. The case, Justice v. Hosemann, focused on a law requiring persons or groups who spend more than $200 in support or opposition to a ballot initiative to register and report contributions and expenditures.

The district court ruled this unconstitutional, however, the Fifth Circuit, applying an “exacting scrutiny” standard, found the disclosure requirements were substantially related to the state’s interest of keeping the voters informed.

Plaintiffs in the case have until November 28 to seek a rehearing before the full Fifth Circuit or until February 12 to seek review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

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