The ACLU of Connecticut filed a lawsuit on July 6, challenging Connecticut’s “Clean Elections” public funding law. Green Party of Connecticut v Garfield, 3:06cv-01030. The case was assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Robert Chatigny, a Clinton appointee.

“Clean elections” public funding laws require candidates for state office to raise a large number of small donations. Those candidates who meet this threshold, then qualify for public funding. There is no logical reason for any “clean elections” law to discriminate for or against any candidate, on the basis of his or her party membership. The Maine, Vermont and Arizona “clean elections” laws, and the law that formerly existed in Massachusetts, did not discriminate for or against any candidate on the basis of party. But the Connecticut law passed in 2005 excludes the nominees of parties that did not poll 10% in the last election, unless they submit a petition signed by 10% of the voters in that district.

The ACLU lawsuit also challenges a separate requirement of Connecticut’s “clean elections”, law, a provision that bars lobbyists, state contractors and their family members from contributing to candidates.

All “clean elections” laws only relate to candidates for state office. States are not permitted to pass laws relating to campaign finance for federal candidates.