On October 24, the U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd circuit, enjoined a New York state law that doesn’t permit anyone to contribute more than $150,000 to a committee that is making independent expenditures for or against a candidate. An individual wanted to contribute $200,000 to a group that intends to make independent expenditures on behalf of the Republican candidate for Mayor of New York city, Joseph Lhota.

The case is New York Progress and Protection PAC v Walsh, 13-3889. The three judges who signed the order are Jacob Dennis (a Bush Sr. appointee), Raymond Lohier (an Obama appointee), and John Koeltl (a Clinton appointee). Here is the order. The U.S. District Court had refused to enjoin the law, saying it isn’t good policy to change the rules so close to an election. Thanks to Rick Hasen and Thomas Jones for the link.