OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Federal appeals judges have temporarily reinstated a state law that limits campaign contributions in the final weeks of ballot measure campaigns.
U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton ruled last month that the limit is an unconstitutional infringement on political speech.
But the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked that ruling from taking effect while the state appeals. The 9th Circuit’s stay was issued late Tuesday.
The law in question bans contributions larger than $5,000 in the final three weeks of an initiative or referendum campaign. Leighton kept in place a requirement to identify donors who contribute more than $25.
Attorney General Rob McKenna’s office is representing the state Public Disclosure Commission in the case. A group called Family PAC is challenging the limits.
