On April 2, the U.S. Supreme Court issued this opinion in McCutcheon v Federal Election Commission, 12-536. The vote was 5-4. The majority struck down a federal law, passed in 1976, that restricts how much money a donor may contribute in total to all candidates or committees. The decision does not affect the contribution limit from an individual to a particular candidate, which is $2,600 in the primary season and another $2,600 in the general election.
The majority decision notes that, among the 38 states that have contribution limits, only eight states have aggregate limits. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote separately to say that he believes all contribution limits should be struck down. The majority opinion, by Chief Justice John Roberts, is 40 pages. The dissent, by Justice Stephen Breyer, is 30 pages and also has an Appendix of 13 pages with statistical data meant to show that the decision will make it easier for wealthy individuals to channel additional contributions to particular candidates.