Campaign donation limits
Thompson v. Hebdon
In brief
The Supreme Court wiped out the Ninth Circuit's ruling (vacated it) and sent the case back (remanded it), but did not decide whether Alaska's contribution limits are constitutional.
- Where it stands
- Case remanded
Remanded · November 25, 2019 · Per curiam
- What it’s about
- This case challenged Alaska’s very low campaign contribution limits, which restrict how much individuals can give each year to candidates and certain political groups.
- Who it affects
- The Ninth Circuit must reconsider whether Alaska's limits fit Alaska's anti-corruption goal under the Supreme Court's earlier First Amendment campaign-finance rulings. The action leaves open whether the limits are constitutional in this case.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Supreme Court vacated the Ninth Circuit’s decision upholding those limits and sent the case back for reconsideration under the Court’s First Amendment campaign-finance precedents.
States balance First Amendment protections for political giving against efforts to prevent corruption or its appearance.
Question presented
Whether the evidence at trial was sufficient to show that Alaska’s $500 individual-to-candidate and individual-to-group contribution limits are closely drawn to further Alaska’s important interest in preventing quid pro quo corruption or its appearance.
What the Court decided
Holding
In light of all the foregoing, the petition for certiorari is granted, the judgment of the Court of Appeals is vacated, and the case is remanded for that court to revisit whether Alaska’s contribution limits are consistent with our First Amendment precedents.
- Result
- Remanded
The vote
What's next
The case returns to the Ninth Circuit, which must revisit whether Alaska's contribution limits comply with the Supreme Court's earlier First Amendment campaign-finance rulings. That review is the next step.
Documents
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Case data updated: status, opinion_date
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Brief added: Petition
Court Order added: Lower Court Orders/Opinions
More questions
- What happened in Thompson v. Hebdon?
- The Supreme Court wiped out the Ninth Circuit's ruling (vacated it) and sent the case back (remanded it) for reconsideration. It did not decide whether Alaska's limits are constitutional.
- What did Alaska's $500 limits restrict?
- They limited how much individuals could give each year to candidates and certain political groups.
- Did the Supreme Court decide whether Alaska's limits are constitutional?
- No. The Court sent the case back (remanded it) for another look, so the constitutional question remains unresolved in this case.
- Was the Supreme Court's action unanimous?
- Yes. The vote was 9-0, with an unsigned opinion from the whole Court (per curiam); Justice Ginsburg also issued a statement.
- What happens next after the Supreme Court's action?
- The Ninth Circuit will reconsider whether Alaska's limits comply with the Supreme Court's earlier First Amendment campaign-finance rulings.
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.