Is there a right to contribute to out-of-state elections?

The Volokh Conspiracy ^ | September 22, 2014 | Eugene Volokh

[right-wing agnostic]

Josh Blackman links to an interesting new speech by (retired) Justice Stevens about the Court’s campaign finance jurisprudence. Among other things, Justice Stevens argues that there ought to be little protection (or no protection?) for campaign contributions made across state lines. He begins . . .:

In the first sentence of his controlling opinion [in McCutcheon v. FEC] the Chief Justice correctly states that there “is no right more basic to our democracy than the right to participate in electing our political leaders.” 188 L. Ed.2d 468, 482. And in his concluding paragraph he correctly describes that right as “the First Amendment right of citizens to choose who shall govern them.” Id., at 507 (Emphases added).

[equaviator]

“...at least that’s how things are SUPPOSED to work in THIS COUNTRY.”

Exactly. I wouldn’t think so but then there is this supposed or assumed “alternative universe” of thought.

[berdie]

That’s the crux of the matter.

Thanks for saying what I was going to say...far more succinctly.

[ctdonath2]

That tells me you think there is not a right to contribute to out-of-state elections.

[equaviator]

“I don’t think so”...taken literally, perhaps.