Judge Upholds Ban on Lobbyists' Speech: ACLU Expects to Appeal

On December 19, 2008 the US District Court of Connecticut ruled to uphold a ban on lobbyists making campaign contributions, despite ACLU of Connecticut arguments that the law chills free speech. Mark Lopez, who argued the case for the ACLU, expects to appeal the decision, “We’re disappointed, because the law broadly restricts the rights of a very large group of citizens in a way that is largely unprecedented in the United States.”

Advocates and minor parties are still waiting for a decision on the legitimacy of campaign finance rules that discriminate against third party candidates. The ACLU is challenging the law that arbitrarily makes it easier for major party candidates to run for office, while imposing more hefty burdens for minor party candidates to qualify for public financing.