On Election Eve, Deep-Pocket Dark Money Bulldozing Democracy

[kentuck]

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/11/03/election-eve-deep-pocket-dark-money-bulldozing-democracy

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"As the post-Citizens United campaign finance system matures, we’re seeing evidence that the traditional campaign apparatus has been overtaken by shadow counterparts," said Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics. "These unaccountable actors give lie to the notion that they are independent of the candidates, and the negative nature of their participation will likely further suppress turnout that is already expected to be low."

This backs up findings released Monday by the Brennan Center for Justice, which documented record spending in 11 key U.S. Senate races, dominated by record-breaking outside spending, 58 percent of it spent by so-called dark money groups that do not have to disclose their donors. Such groups have spent at least $200 million nationally this election cycle, much of it in places with close races like North Carolina, which boasts the largest dollar amount of dark money as of October 29: $36 million.

"Cash from unknown sources is flooding the most important races, while state politicians have instituted new barriers to the ballot box for millions of Americans. Regardless of who wins, the integrity of our elections has been undermined."
—Lawrence Norden and Wendy Weiser,
Brennan Center's Democracy Program