Formation 2005 Region United States Founder Bradley Smith Type Nonprofit organization | Location Alexandria, Virginia Headquarters Virginia, United States Founded 2005 | |
Mission "To promote and defend First Amendment rights to free political speech, assembly, and petition." Website www.campaignfreedom.org Similar Center for Individual Freedom, Citizens United, Thomas More Law Center, State Policy Network, Common Cause | ||
The Center for Competitive Politics (CCP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. CCP's mission is "to promote and defend First Amendment rights to free political speech, assembly, and petition."
Contents
History
CCP was founded in 2005 by former Federal Election Commission Chairman Bradley A. Smith. According to Politico, Smith opened CCP with the goal of "challenging the current campaign finance system in both federal court and the court of public opinion."
Activities
The organization has been particularly active in criticizing campaign finance regulations, taxpayer-financed political campaigns, and restrictions on referenda and ballot initiatives. The Center publishes various studies and reports on election related matters, and provides pro bono legal counsel to parties in suits challenging the constitutionality of election statutes. It has also defended the right of independent groups to participate freely in the electoral process.
The Center represented the plaintiffs in SpeechNow.org v. Federal Election Commission, the Court of Appeals decisions that authorized the creation of Super PACs.
In 2014, CCP challenged California's requirement that nonprofit groups must turn over their donor lists to the state in order to receive a license to solicit contributions from residents of the state.
CCP has stated its opposition to a campaign spending limitation amendment authored by Senators Tom Udall and Michael Bennet. CCP has also opposed proposed Internal Revenue Service guidelines that would redefine tax rules for social welfare organizations that engage in political advocacy as a secondary activity.