On December 10, the U.S. Supreme Court asked the city of Seattle to file a response brief in Elster v City of Seattle, 19-608. This is the case that says the First Amendment is violated by the city’s campaign voucher law. That law gives every Seattle voter campaign finance vouchers. The voter is free to give his or her voucher to any candidate (for city office). Then that candidate may submit the voucher to the city and in return receive money for the campaign.

The plaintiffs argue that the First Amendment does not permit a government to spend money in this fashion, because it means a city taxpayer is being forced to subsidize campaign speech that the taxpayer may not agree with.

Here is the amicus curiae of the Goldwater Institute, filed on December 12. It argues in favor of Elster and against the city.