Wisconsin Campaign Finance law impairing citizen participation enjoined
The First Freedoms Foundation issued this press release on Thursday that begins:
Federal Judge J.P. Stadtmueller issued an order today enjoining enforcement of Wisconsin campaign finance law against Town of Whitewater resident John Swaffer in the April 1 election. The law requires that anyone spending over 25.00 or donating $100.00 to support or defeat a referendum must register with the Government Accountability Board, open a separate bank account, appoint a treasurer, disclose donors’ identities and personal information, and continue filing reports for up to three years.
First Freedoms Foundation general counsel Mike Dean and Attorney James Bopp filed the action March 10 because Swaffer wanted to send postcards to Town residents opposing a referendum authorizing liquor sales that Town
supervisors had placed on the April 1 ballot.
Various court documents and filings in connection with the case of Swaffer v. Deininger are available online here.