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Justices strike down taxpayer-supported campaign spending law

By Bill Mears, CNN Supreme Court Producer
A conservative 5-4 majority of justices said the law violated free speech.
A conservative 5-4 majority of justices said the law violated free speech.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • A conservative 5-4 majority of justices on Monday said the law violates free speech
  • The law aims to help candidates outspent by privately funded opponents

Washington (CNN) -- The Supreme Court has tossed out an Arizona law that provides extra taxpayer-funded support for office seekers who have been outspent by privately funded opponents or by independent political groups.

A conservative 5-4 majority of justices on Monday said the law violated free speech, concluding the state was impermissibly trying to "level the playing field" through a public finance system.

Arizona lawmakers had argued there was a compelling state interest in equalizing resources among competing candidates and interest groups.

The cases are McComish v. Bennett (10-239) and Arizona Free Enterprise Club's Freedom Club PAC v. Bennett (10-238).