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…

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 ...

Free Speech Index – Grading the 50 States on Political Giving Freedom
March 2, 2018   •  By Scott Blackburn   •  , ,

Foreword by Chairman Bradley A. Smith and President David Keating On behalf of the Institute for Free Speech, we are pleased to present Part ...

Cato Institute Hosts Discussion on Corruption and Virtue in a Republic
January 29, 2018   •  By Joe Albanese   •  , , ,

Last week, the Cato Institute hosted a book forum on The Republic of Virtue: How We Tried to Ban Corruption, Failed, and What We ...

Three Myths About Campaign Contribution Limits
January 1, 2018   •  By IFS Staff   •  ,

Forty-five of the 50 states and the federal government in some way impose limits on the amount individuals or groups can contribute to the ...

Brookings Report Examines How Parties Have Weakened in Relation to Independent Groups
December 20, 2017   •  By Joe Albanese   •  , ,

Earlier this month, Jonathan Rauch – a Senior Fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution – and Raymond J. La Raja – an ...

Wave election possible because of Virginia’s campaign finance laws
November 16, 2017   •  By Scott Blackburn   •  , , ,

The recent election in Virginia was a wave. Democrats swept the races for statewide office. Republicans, previously a supermajority in the House of Delegates, ...

Danica Roem’s win proves it: We don’t need to restrict campaign contributions
November 15, 2017   •  By Luke Wachob   •  , , ,

By Luke Wachob Roem outraised Marshall 3-to-1 thanks in part to large donations from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocates across the country. This was ...

Why Contribution Limits Pose a Threat to Free Speech
November 3, 2017   •  By Alex Cordell   •  ,

Aside from voting, one of the most effective ways Americans can generate change in their government is to speak out and educate more of ...

Federal Election Commission v. Jeremy Johnson and John Swallow

 John Swallow
October 23, 2017   •  By IFS staff   •  , , ,

Can the FEC punish an individual for giving advice? That is the question at the core of Federal Election Commission v. Jeremy Johnson and John ...

Amicus Brief: Coloradans for a Better Future v. Campaign Integrity Watchdog, LLC
October 20, 2017   •  By IFS Staff   •  ,
Load more

Get the Latest Updates

© 2025 Institute for Free Speech | 1150 Connecticut Avenue, NW | Suite 801 | Washington, DC 20036 | 202-301-3300

The word mark Institute for Free Speech® and its logo of a stylized lantern with a flame are federally registered service marks and are owned by the Institute for Free Speech.