Citizens United

Which constitutional liberty is in question?

• Freedom of the Press

• Freedom Speech

• Due Process

• Privacy Rights

What types of legislation did Congress pass relative to elections rules between 1907 and 1970?

• political party free speech restrictions

• campaign finance limitations

• voter fraud laws

• absentee voting restrictions

Identify key components of the Federal Elections Campaign Act (FECA) - CHOOSE TWO! 

• Abolished all forms of campaign contributions

• Creation of the FEC to monitor campaign contributions

• Limited the amount of campaign contributions by individuals and groups

Which part of FECA of 1971 did the Supreme Court (Buckley) initially strike down?

• Limiting the amount a person could donate to a candidate

• Limiting the amount a person could spend on his/her campaign

TRUE or FALSE - the BCRA (McCain-Feingold Act) did not restrict corporations and/or labor unions from financing issue-based ads on the behalf of candidates. 

• TRUE

• FALSE

What did Citizens United, a non-profit group, do during the 2016 Election?

• Released an ad support of Barack Obama

• Released a movie critical of Hillary Clinton

• Released a movie praising Mitt Romney

TRUE or FALSE - the Court in a 5-4 decision, upheld the right of corporations to exercise "free speech" through the use of media ads. 

• TRUE

• FALSE

How does 'soft money' indirectly help a candidate or campaign?

• It is spent on issue ads that match the candidate's position on the issue.

• It is spent on the legal fund of the candidate to challenge their opponent in court.

TRUE or FALSE - it is illegal for corporations and labor unions to donate directly to a candidate.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Do you think that corporations should be viewed as an individual and be able to spend unlimited funds on campaigns? Why or Why not?  Be sure to support your position.