The Arizona Free Enterprise Club and Center for Arizona Policy today lost their appeal claiming that the Voters' Right to Know Act ("VRKA", also known as "Stop Dark Money") violated their constitutional rights.
A unanimous three judge panel soundly rejected the groups' arguments that the disclosure measure - which just completed its first election cycle in effect - violated Arizona's constitutional protections for free speech, association and for private affairs. They claimed that donors and potential donors would be (or were) harassed because they could no longer hide their identities. (The measure calls for disclosure of the original source of funds from the largest donors for ads and other communications.)
The opinion concludes the VRKA did not violate the provisions either as written or as applied to CAP or AZFEC.
Former Arizona Attorney General, who chaired the multi-year Stop Dark Money effort, tells Arizona's Law that today's opinion is "a very thorough, well-reasoned and well-written opinion that takes each of the claimants' positions systematically and demolishes them. This vindicates the careful work we put into drafting it." He notes the long list of dark money groups active in Arizona that filed friend of the court briefs attacking the law.
It is likely that the groups will appeal this decision to the Arizona Supreme Court. A separate challenge to the VRKA's constitutionality is also in the appeals process.
This article was reported by AZ Law founder Paul Weich.
"AZ Law" includes articles, commentaries and updates about opinions from the Arizona Supreme Court, U.S. Supreme Court, as well as trial and appellate courts, etc. AZ Law is founded by Phoenix attorney Paul Weich, and joins Arizona's Politics on the internet.