Campaign Legal Center

Campaign Legal Center is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that works to protect and strengthen democracy in the United States. The organization is dedicated to ensuring the integrity of the electoral process and promoting transparency and accountability in government. The Campaign Legal Center has worked with various organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, to advance its mission. It has also collaborated with Members of Congress, such as John McCain and Russ Feingold, to pass legislation like the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act.

History and mission

The Campaign Legal Center was founded in 2002 by Trevor Potter, a former Federal Election Commission chairman, with the goal of promoting campaign finance reform and voting rights. The organization's mission is to hold politicians and government officials accountable for their actions and to ensure that the electoral process is fair and transparent. The Campaign Legal Center has worked on various issues, including voter suppression, gerrymandering, and dark money in politics. It has also partnered with organizations like the League of Women Voters and the National Association of Secretaries of State to advance its mission. The organization has been involved in several high-profile cases, including the Citizens United v. FEC case, which was argued before the Supreme Court of the United States by James Bopp.

Key legal and advocacy work

The Campaign Legal Center has been involved in several key legal and advocacy efforts, including the Shelby County v. Holder case, which challenged the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The organization has also worked to promote disclosure of political spending and to prevent voter suppression tactics, such as those used in the 2013 Virginia gubernatorial election. The Campaign Legal Center has partnered with organizations like the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union to advance its mission. It has also worked with Members of Congress, such as Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner, to pass legislation like the DISCLOSE Act. The organization has been critical of Super PACs and dark money groups, such as Crossroads GPS and Karl Rove's American Crossroads.

Leadership and organization

The Campaign Legal Center is led by Trevor Potter, a former Federal Election Commission chairman and Republican Party lawyer. The organization's board of directors includes notable figures such as Norman Eisen, a former White House ethics lawyer, and Robert Bauer, a former White House counsel. The Campaign Legal Center has a staff of lawyers, researchers, and advocates who work on various issues related to campaign finance reform and voting rights. The organization has also partnered with universities and research institutions, such as Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley, to advance its mission. The Campaign Legal Center has been recognized for its work by organizations like the National Democratic Institute and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.

Impact and notable cases

The Campaign Legal Center has been involved in several notable cases, including the McCutcheon v. FEC case, which challenged the Federal Election Campaign Act. The organization has also worked on cases related to voter suppression, such as the North Carolina NAACP v. McCrory case, which challenged voter ID laws in North Carolina. The Campaign Legal Center has partnered with organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund to advance its mission. The organization has been recognized for its work by awards such as the National Association of Secretaries of State's Medallion Award and the American Bar Association's Silver Gavel Award. The Campaign Legal Center has also worked with international organizations, such as the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, to promote democracy and human rights.

Funding and affiliations

The Campaign Legal Center is funded by a variety of sources, including foundations like the Ford Foundation and the Open Society Foundations. The organization has also received funding from individual donors, such as George Soros and Pierre Omidyar. The Campaign Legal Center is affiliated with several organizations, including the Brennan Center for Justice and the Democracy 21. The organization has also partnered with unions like the AFL-CIO and the Service Employees International Union to advance its mission. The Campaign Legal Center has been recognized for its transparency and accountability by organizations like the Better Business Bureau and the Charity Navigator. The organization has also been accredited by the American Bar Association and the National Association of State Charity Officials. Category:Non-profit organizations based in Washington, D.C.