Impact of Citizens United on Campaign Finance

Hard Unit 5: Political Participation Elections And Campaigns

In recent elections, there has been significant debate surrounding the role of campaign finance in shaping political outcomes. Federal regulations, including the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) of 2002, aimed to limit the influence of money in politics.

The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC (2010) altered the landscape by ruling that laws limiting campaign contributions from corporations and unions violate the free speech protections of the First Amendment. Proponents of increased campaign contributions argue that it enhances political participation by allowing more voices in the debate. Opponents, however, argue that it creates an uneven playing field, favoring candidates with wealthier donors.

Based on this context, which of the following scenarios best illustrates the impact of the Supreme Court's decision on political campaigns?

A candidate receives a large donation from a small business, which enables them to run extensive local advertisements.

A political action committee (PAC) raises millions of dollars without disclosing its donors, allowing a candidate to influence voters without transparency.

A grassroots organization mobilizes volunteers to canvass neighborhoods, relying solely on small donations from individuals.

A candidate wins an election due to overwhelming public support garnered through campaign rallies and engagements.

Hint

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