Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, 558 U.S. 310 (2010)
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is one of the most consequential Supreme Court cases in the realm of campaign finance law.
Does prohibiting corporations and unions from using their general treasury funds for independent political expenditures in candidate elections violate the First Amendment’s free speech protections?
Laws that restrict political speech based on the identity of the speaker (e.g., corporations or unions) must meet strict scrutiny under the First Amendment, demonstrating a compelling governmental interest and that the law is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest.
The Supreme Court held that the government's prohibition of independent corporate expenditures for political communications violated the First Amendment. Specifically, it struck down the part of BCRA that limited corporations and unions from spending on electioneering communications.
This case is highly significant for law students and practitioners as it underscores the broad protections enshrined under the First Amendment, particularly concerning the rights of corporations as entities. It amplifies the themes of corporate personhood and campaign finance, which continue to be areas of vibrant legal debate and evolution. The decision is often criticized for exacerbating the role of money in politics and affecting the balance of political power, influencing jurisprudence in campaign finance for decades.