The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Nov. 12, 2025
Maine voters approved a ballot question limiting contributions to a Super PAC to $5,000 dollars in 2024. It was overturned by a federal district court, but it’s now headed to the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals with some unlikely allies: Billionaires.
The challenge to special interest contributions to SuperPACs has been championed by Harvard Law School Professor Lawrence Lessig and his nonprofit, Equal Citizens. He and others argue that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld “contribution limits” in Buckley v. Valeo and other cases as “an accepted means to prevent quid pro quo corruption.”
Sports business journal Sportico reports that billionaire pharmaceutical entrepreneur, part owner in the Dallas Mavericks and Shark Tank star Mark Cuban, and four other billionaire activists are siding with Maine voters.
Cuban, along with venture capitalists Vin Ryan and Steve Jurvetson, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, and investment firm president William von Mueffling, filed a friend of the court brief in late October. They argue and provide examples of how so-called “independent expenditures” to SuperPACs can QUOTE “create a serious risk of actual quid pro quo corruption and its appearance.” They also argue that limiting, but not prohibiting, contributions, has minimal impact on a donor’s free speech.
The case will be heard in early 2026, and may reach the U.S. Supreme Court by fall.
We’ve linked the brief and more on the case at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
BallotPedia – (2024) Maine Question 1
American Democracy Minute – (2024) Maine Voters Overwhelmingly Pass Limits to Individual Contributions to SuperPACs, and Lay the Groundwork for SCOTUS Case
U.S. 1st Circuit District Court (via Courthouse News) – Opinion in DINNER TABLE ACTION et al. v. WILLIAM J. SCHNEIDER
American Democracy Minute – (July) A Maine Ballot Initiative Limiting State Contributions to SuperPACs was Also Ruled Unconstitutional. This One, However, Might Reach SCOTUS.
Open Secrets – Federal judge blocks voter-approved Maine law capping super PAC contributions
U.S. First District Court of Appeals – BRIEF OF MARK CUBAN, WILLIAM VON MUEFFLING, STEVE JURVETSON,
VIN RYAN, AND REID HOFFMAN AS AMICI CURIAE IN SUPPORT OF DEFENDANTS-APPELLANTS AND REVERSAL
Sportico – Mark Cuban Joins Legal Fight Against Dark Money and Super PACs
Maine Morning Star – Latest filings in campaign finance court battle argue Maine has legal right to regulate super PACs
Equal Citizens – Outline of the case by former Acting Solicitor Neal K. Katyal
Groups Taking Action:
American Promise, Citizens to End SuperPACs, Equal Citizens
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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