McConnell v FEC: District Court: Plaintiffs' Briefs

Plaintiffs' Omnibus Brief in Opposition to the Reform Act

This is the opening, "omnibus" brief submitted by nine of the 11 plaintiffs opposing the Reform Act. The brief has been redacted to exclude material designated confidential by various parties. The two remaining sets of plaintiffs - in Adams v. FEC and Paul v. FEC - filed separate briefs, which are posted below.

A: Tables of Contents and Authorities

B: Party and Candidate Soft Money Provisions (McConnell Plaintiffs)

C: Party and Candidate Soft Money Provisions (RNC Plaintiffs)

D: State Party Soft Money Provisions (California Party Plaintiffs)

E: Party and Candidate Soft Money Provisions, Contributions by Minors (Thompson Plaintiffs)

F: Electioneering Communications (McConnell Plaintiffs)

G: Electioneering Communications (National Rifle Association Plaintiffs)

H: Electioneering Communications (ACLU Plaintiffs)

I: Electioneering Communications, Coordination and Disclosure Provisions (Chamber of Commerce Plaintiffs)

J: Electioneering Communications, Coordination and Disclosure Provisions (AFL-CIO Plaintiffs)

K: Independent and Coordinated Expenditures, Coordination (RNC Plaintiffs)

L: Independent and Coordinated Party Expenditures (California Party Plaintiffs)

M: Lowest Unit Charge Provisions, Contributions by Minors, "Millionaire's Povisions" (McConnell Plaintiffs)

N: "Millionaire's Provisions" (RNC Plaintiffs)

O: Hard Money Contribution Provisions (California Party Plaintiffs)

P: Contributions by Minors (Thompson Plaintiffs)

Q: Disclosure Provisions (McConnell Plaintiffs)

R: Disclosure Provisions (AFL-CIO Plaintiffs)

S: Storyboards for Political Ads Cited in Opening Brief

Opening Brief: Adams Plaintiffs

The plaintiffs in Adams v. FEC, one of the suits consolidated around McConnell v. FEC, filed this opening brief setting forth their view that the Reform Act provisions raising the limits on hard money contributions to candidates and parties violate the Equal Protection Clause. The Adams plaintiffs also challenge the Act's so-called "millionaire's provisions," which allow opponents of wealthy, self-funded candidates to raise hard money in larger increments than are otherwise permissible.

Click here to view the brief in its entirety.

Opening Brief: Paul Plaintiffs

The plaintiffs in Paul v. FEC, one of the suits consolidated around McConnell v. FEC, filed this opening brief setting forth their view that the Reform Act violates the freedom of the press.

Click here to view the brief in its entirety.