Story perspectives

Voter Frustration Grows as Super PAC Spending Soars

10/16/2025

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Center

Voters Demand Reform

Fifteen years after the Citizens United ruling, super PACs spent $2.7 billion in the 2024 election cycle.
Maine voters approved a $5,000 cap on super PAC donations, but a federal judge ruled it unconstitutional.
Montana is considering a 2026 ballot initiative to restrict corporate spending in politics.
Advocates say these measures could serve as blueprints for other states.
Voter frustration over outside money is rising, signaling a demand for reform.

Left

Vance Challenges Donations

The Supreme Court is set to hear cases that could remove remaining campaign-donation restrictions after the Citizens United ruling.
One case, led by Republicans including Vice President JD Vance, challenges limits on coordinated spending set post-Watergate.
Critics warn that overturning these limits could enable larger donations and entrench corruption.
The Trump administration's Department of Justice refused to intervene, weakening the limits' defense and raising concerns about mega-donor influence.

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Voters Demand Reform

Fifteen years after the Citizens United ruling, super PACs spent $2.7 billion in the 2024 election cycle.
Maine voters approved a $5,000 cap on super PAC donations, but a federal judge ruled it unconstitutional.
Montana is considering a 2026 ballot initiative to restrict corporate spending in politics.
Advocates say these measures could serve as blueprints for other states.
Voter frustration over outside money is rising, signaling a demand for reform.

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