CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Local and national groups warn that Wyoming’s campaign finance laws need to be changed to comply with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
Wyoming law limits how much each resident can donate in total to candidates, political parties and political action committees during an election cycle.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled recently that donors can’t be limited in how much they contribute overall to political candidates, parties and campaign groups in each election cycle.
Representatives of the Cheyenne-based Wyoming Liberty Group and the Alexandria, Virginia-based Center for Competitive Politics say that means Wyoming’s law is in violation of the ruling and the state could face a lawsuit if it enforces it this election year.
David Keating, president of the Center for Competitive Politics, said Wyoming’s law is “essentially identical” to the federal law that was determined to be unconstitutional.
Wyoming prevents individuals from donating a combined total of more than $25,000 in state and local political contributions per election cycle. But a bill passed during the 2013 session will increase that amount to $50,000 starting in 2015.
“If Wyoming fails to either amend or repeal this statute to conform to the court’s ruling, it risks a lawsuit,” the Center for Competitive Politics said in a letter to various state officials.
There will not be any immediate action on the Wyoming because the 2014 Legislature ended in March and lawmakers don’t meet again until next year.
In light of that, the Wyoming Liberty Group has asked the secretary of state and attorney general to immediately stop enforcing the state’s law.
State Attorney General Peter Michael declined to comment on the issue, noting that it is up to county authorities enforce election law.
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