LWVFC Forum Sunday, Jan. 31 Explores Money in Politics & Free Speech Under the 1st Amendment

The League of Women Voters of Falls Church rescheduled its National Issues Forum, “Assessing the Relationship Between Money in Politics and Free Speech Under the First Amendment,” due to the blizzard. The session will now be held Sunday, January 31 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Falls Church Community Center, 223 Little Falls Street.

Keynote speaker will be Tara Malloy, Deputy Executive Director, The Campaign Legal Center. Ms. Malloy litigates a wide range of campaign finance and election law cases in state and federal court, and has expertise in campaign finance, lobbying, and congressional ethics issues. Malloy has spoken at conferences and events nationwide on election law and has appeared as a legal expert on various news programs, including on MSNBC, PBS and NPR. The forum will explore whether all or some political activity should constitute free speech protected under the First Amendment in contrast to recent Supreme Court’s rulings to allow unlimited spending in candidate elections that entirely discount any danger from undue influence other than quid pro quo corruption.

The Falls Church League is joining with other Leagues around the country in a national study to update the League’s position on Money in Politics in light of recent Supreme Court decisions that changed campaign finance laws significantly. What is the proper balance between the First Amendment interests of candidates, donors, independent spenders, and issue advocates and the public interest in equitable competition among candidates for office, preventing corruption and undue influence, and enhancing voter participation? The public is invited to participate to help shape this important discussion.

For more information on the Falls Church League and its activities go to www.lwvfallschurch.org.