A federal appeals court has thrown out part of Connecticut’s controversial public campaign financing law, a complex ruling that could have an immediate effect on the 2010 campaigns, The Associated Press reports.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court ruling that found the law unconstitutional in part because it discriminated against minor party candidates. The appeals court ruled Tuesday that minor party candidates should be required to meet a higher threshold for fundraising in order to qualify for public funds.
It also struck down a ban on donations by lobbyists but upheld a ban on contributions by state contractors.
The appeals court agreed the state should not be required to give extra public funding to a candidate running against a wealthy, privately funded opponent.
Connecticut’s public campaign finance law has been seen by some as a possible national model.
