On October 10, U.S. District Court Judge John Kane, a Carter appointee, ruled that the Coalition for Secular Government need not register itself with Colorado campaign finance officials and need not report all its expenditures. The entire annual budget for the group is $3,500, but Colorado had said it must register with the state and disclose its expenditures because it published a pamphlet, arguing for a “no” vote on a statewide initiative defining “personhood”.
Here is commentary about the decision. The case had been pending since 2012, and is 12-cv-1708. Thanks to Justin Levitt for the link.
Does this mean small 3rd parties which may be organized on “paper” and have a website, but never spend anything, are exempt from reporting its expenditures?
If so, sounds like a good ruling.