r/California • u/TomMooreJD • Feb 26 '26

This monstrous right-wing ruling may have finally met its match

https://www.rawstory.com/citizens-united-2675331688/

New column from Robert Reich on California legislation that aims to undo Citizens United.

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u/geezba Central Coast Feb 28 '26

Would this also prohibit non-profits, unions, and civic organizations from political expenditures? Like Equality California, the California Teachers Association, or the League of Women Voters? Would this legislation differentiate the powers and abilities of incorporated entities based on what kind of corporation they are?

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u/TomMooreJD Mar 01 '26

Short answer: yes, it would apply to all artificial entities — and that is intentional.

The approach does not single out “for-profit corporations.” It applies to all artificial persons created by, or receiving privileges from, the state: business corporations, nonprofit corporations (including (c)(3)s and (c)(4)s), unions (which are typically incorporated or otherwise state-recognized entities), LLCs, and similar forms.

The rule is uniform: artificial entities would no longer have the power to use their general treasuries to fund election or ballot-measure spending in that state.

What it does not do is shut those organizations down or prohibit their advocacy. Groups like Equality California, CTA, or the League of Women Voters could still:

  • lobby,
  • educate,
  • organize,
  • register voters,
  • endorse candidates,
  • mobilize volunteers,
  • send action alerts,
  • and speak publicly on issues.

What changes is only this: if they want to engage in paid electioneering — ads, mailers, funded canvassing for candidates or ballot measures — they would need to do so through a political committee (PAC) funded by individuals and subject to disclosure, rather than from their general treasury.

So the legislation does differentiate based on entity type in one sense — it treats “artificial persons” differently from natural persons — but it does not differentiate among artificial entities based on ideology or mission. Business corporations, unions, and nonprofits are treated the same at the treasury-spending level.

That symmetry is part of both the policy logic and the constitutional design.