Who Gave It? Who Got It?: The Enforcement of Campaign Finance Laws in the States

Abstract

This study examines the record of enforcement by state campaign finance agencies since their inception following Watergate. These boards and commissions exist in twenty-six states, although ten of them do not engage in substantial efforts to enforce the campaign finance laws. The remaining sixteen have established enforcement records that meet minimal standards, but only four have sought to administer substantial penalties and other civil remedies with consistency and vigor. Each of the four is subjected to separate analysis as to structure, level of fines, administration of other sanctions, and judicial experiences.