Case Background
The Brennan Center for Justice, working with pro bono counsel at Reed Smith LLP, filed an amicus brief in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado to defend the constitutionality of Colorado campaign disclosure requirements for ballot committees. Plaintiff-Appellant Colorado Union of Taxpayers sued Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Director of Elections Judd Choate in their official capacities, contending that the law’s donor disclosure requirements for advocacy supporting or opposing state ballot propositions chills free speech.
The Brennan Center’s brief highlights ways in which campaign transparency advances the core goals of the First Amendment. It also discusses the large body of social science research and judicial findings supporting the value of electoral transparency measures like Colorado’s law.
To read the Brennan Center’s briefs in this case, as well as other materials, see below.
District Court:
Amicus Brief of the Brennan Center et al. in Support of Defendants (August 13, 2021)
Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgement (July 23, 2021)
Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgement (July 23, 2021)
Plaintiff’s Second Amended Complaint (May 24, 2021)
