Citizens United opened the floodgates for unlimited corporate spending in U.S. elections. This gives wealthy interests disproportionate influence over our democracy.
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is a landmark 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision that dramatically reshaped the landscape of campaign finance and political speech.
In a 5–4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that corporations have a constitutional right to spend unlimited money on independent political communications.
This ruling overturned key provisions of the 1971 campaign reform act and reversed earlier decisions which had upheld restrictions on corporate political spending.
The impact has been profound. It has led to an explosion of outside spending in U.S. elections and blurred the lines between candidates and supposedly independent groups.
By equating money with speech Citizens United has opened the door for unprecedented levels of corporate and wealthy private influence over electoral politics.
There is nothing “United” about “Citizens United”.
It’s why you're bombarded with political ads during your favorite TV shows, browsing social media, or just trying to surf online.
It gives disproportionate influence to wealthy corporations and donors, undermining democratic equality and transparency.
It's about buying power for the few to have control over the many, and that's not how a democracy should work.