Fed Court Strikes Down CT Campaign Finance Law

A federal district court on Thursday ruled that Connecticut's campaign finance law places an unconstitutional burden on the ability of minor-party candidates to run for office.  The Campaign Finance Reform Act received bi-partisan support from Democrats and Republicans when it was passed in 2005, and was billed as a way to even the playing field for competing candidates.  But third party candidates successfully argued that a public financing provision and other elements of the Act artificially enhanced the political strength of major parties, giving them an unfair advantage when running for office. 

• Green Party of Connecticut v. Garfield
• Hartford Courant
• Ct News Junkie

Kathleen Bergin