In a significant decision for election transparency, the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled last week in favor of a law requiring disclosure of dark money contributions in state and local elections. The unanimous ruling upholds Proposition 211, a voter-backed initiative passed in 2022 that mandates disclosure of donors who spend substantial amounts on political campaigns.
Prop. 211 requires any organization spending at least $25,000 on local elections—or $50,000 on statewide races—to publicly disclose the identities of donors who contributed $5,000 or more. The Arizona Free Enterprise Club and the Center for Arizona Policy challenged the proposition, arguing it infringed on donor privacy rights. However, Judge Jennifer Campbell, writing for the court, emphasized the law’s role in combating corruption and ensuring voters are informed about who is funding political messaging.
Campbell noted that transparency in political spending aligns with the state’s interest in preventing undue influence in elections, as it provides voters with insights into who supports particular candidates and positions.
Despite the ruling, opponents of Prop. 211 plan to appeal, likely bringing the issue before the Arizona Supreme Court. For now, the appeals court’s decision marks a victory for advocates of campaign finance transparency, affirming Arizona’s commitment to ensuring that election funding is open and accountable to the public.
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