Supreme Court agrees to hear challenges to Ariz. campaign finance law

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear two legal challenges to Arizona’s public
financing of election campaigns.

The state’s Clean Elections program allows candidates for statewide and legislative office to receive funding for their campaigns from the state. In instances where a candidate who accepts public financing faces a wealthy self-funding candidate, the law allowed for him or her to receive additional funds.

The challenges to Arizona’s law are being brought by the Arizona Free Enterprise Club and state Rep. John McComish (R). They’re based on the argument that the campaign financing provision limits the First Amendment rights of wealthy candidates.

The Supreme Court made a preliminary decision on the cases in June when it reinstated an injunction blocking the matching funds provision.

A hearing date for the cases, which will be joined together as one, is expected this spring. The court’s ruling could have a major impact on the patchwork of laws governing public financing of election campaigns at the state and national level.