Cases & Actions
Name of Case
The Election Law Clinic is representing Mark Cuban, William Von Mueffling, Steve Jurvetson, Vin Ryan, and Reid Hoffman in a case considering a Maine law that limits the amount donors can give to independent-expenditure entities like super PACs. As wealthy Americans, amici have firsthand insight into the dynamics that arise in the absence of reasonable campaign finance regulations. While they have varying political views and participate in electoral politics in different ways, amici all believe that commonsense regulations like Maine's are critical to protecting America’s democracy.
STATUS: OPEN
UPDATED: October 29, 2025
BACKGROUND
In 2024, the people of Maine voted to enact a law limiting contributions to independent-expenditure entities like superPACs and requiring donor disclosures. Before it took effect, however, the United States District Court for Maine enjoined the law, declaring it unconstitutional in violation of the First Amendment. Both the Maine Attorney General and a non-profit intervenor founded by Harvard Law School Professor Lawrence Lessig, Equal Citizens, appealed to the First Circuit. Amici submitted their brief in support of defendants-appellants and urging the First Circuit to reverse the decision below.
They argue that reasonable Super PAC contribution limits are wholly consistent with the First Amendment because such regulations minimally burden speech rights; unlimited Super PAC contributions create a serious risk of quid pro quo corruption and its appearance, and laws like Maine’s make government more responsive to the needs of ordinary voters rather than megadonors.
Update #1
Update #2
Update #3