Institute For Free Speech

Contribution Limits: Caps on First Amendment Activity
January 1, 2018  •  By IFS Staff  •    •  

Contribution limits are monetary restrictions on the amount an individual or group can donate to a political actor – usually a candidate, political party, or political action committee. The Supreme Court first allowed limits on contributions in Buckley v. Valeo. The Court’s ruling acknowledged that contribution limits were a restriction on First Amendment activity, but allowed them on the theory…

Maryland flunks freedom of speech
April 30, 2018   •  By Thomas Wheatley   •  ,

Virginia and Maryland may share a border, but when it comes to their respect for free-speech rights, the two couldn’t be more different. The ...

Colorado among 5 worst states in free speech index

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April 30, 2018   •  By Luke Wachob   •  ,

Incumbent politicians have a lot of advantages in campaigns. They have networks of donors to call on for support. They have an in with ...

Nebraska excels at allowing free political speech
April 13, 2018   •  By Joe Albanese   •  ,

Imagine you lived in a state where it was illegal to express too much support for a candidate. Such a law would be a ...

Iowa should be applauded for political speech rights
April 13, 2018   •  By Joe Albanese   •  ,

Imagine you lived in a state where it was illegal to express too much support for a candidate. Such a law would be a ...

Alaska among three worst states in nation in free speech index
April 4, 2018   •  By Luke Wachob   •  ,

Incumbent politicians have a lot of advantages in campaigns. They have a network of donors to call on for support. They have an in ...

The Founders didn’t limit political contributions, and neither should we
April 4, 2018   •  By Brad Smith   •  , ,

When they signed the Declaration of Independence, the Founders pledged their “lives … fortunes, and … sacred honor” to the political cause they were ...

Utah ranks high on list of free-speech states
April 2, 2018   •  By Joe Albanese   •  ,

Imagine you lived in a state where it was illegal to express too much support for a candidate. Such a law would be a ...

West Virginia ranks poorly in ‘Free Speech Index
April 2, 2018   •  By Alex Baiocco   •  ,

Incumbent politicians have a lot of advantages in campaigns. They have a network of donors to call on for support. They have an in ...

Report: Mississippi among top states for political speech rights
March 29, 2018   •  By Joe Albanese   •  ,

Imagine you lived in a state where it was illegal to express too much support for a candidate. Such a law would be a ...

How Maryland’s tough campaign finance laws protect incumbents
March 27, 2018   •  By Luke Wachob   •  ,

Incumbent politicians have a lot of advantages in campaigns. They have a network of donors to call on for support. They have an in ...

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