Citizens+United+v+Federal+Elections+Commission

Background: The court held that the First Amendment prohibited the government from restricting political expenditures by businesses, corporations and unions. The nonprofit corporation Citizens United planned on airing a film against Hillary Clinton and to advertise the film during television broadcasts was a violation of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act.

Dates: Argued March 24, 2009 Reargued September 9, 2009 Decided January 21, 2010

Outcome: 5-4 in favor of Citizens United

Court: John Roberts Court

Aftermath: The Creation of PACs and big money influence became the norm and played a key role in the 2010 and now in the 2012 election cycles to sway undecided voters one way or another. This lead to elected officials pandoring to the big money that got them elected and thus disinfranchised the average voter.

[|www.supremecourtcases.com] [|www.wikipedia.com]