Perhaps fitting on a night defined by Donald Trump’s largely self-funded presidential win, Missouri voters overwhelmingly approved a change to the state constitution that will reinstate campaign contribution limits. In Missouri – known for having some of the most lax campaign finance laws in the country – donors can spend millions to elect their chosen candidates, which some argue leads to those officials being beholden to their financial backers over their constituencies. But that’s about to change. Supporters of the amendment hailed their win Tuesday, saying it will help keep elections from being influenced only by the wealthy. And in Missouri elections without limits, candidates do raise significantly more money, but from fewer donors – indicating their contributors have deep pockets – and raise more money out of state. But those against the cap argue that it prohibits free speech through political expression, that donors should be able to spend what they like on candidates so long as they disclose their contributions to the Missouri Ethics Commission.
They also contend that limits will actually lead to less transparency, as donors will merely shuffle money through political action committees that will eventually make its way to their chosen campaigns, behind closed doors and without oversight.
Amendment 2, which was approved by 70 percent of Missouri voters on Tuesday, sought to avoid some of those loopholes by not just limiting how much money donors can spend, but by barring money moving between candidate committees and prohibiting donations from out-of-state PACs, donations intended to conceal the source of the money, and direct contributions from corporations or labor unions.
Committees unaffiliated with a party or candidate can still spend freely for or against ballot issues and candidates, as well as received unlimited donations.
Full Article: Court challenges likely for photo ID, campaign contribution amendments approved by Missouri voters | Political Fix | stltoday.com.