In-Compliance: December 2024 Round-Up
By: Michael Bayes, Jessica Furst Johnson, Joseph T. Burns, Matthew Petersen, Andrew D. Watkins, David Brown
In Compliance: Holtzman Vogel's Monthly Round-Up
In the December 2024 issue of In-Compliance, we cover the following topics:
A Lookback at the Federal Election Commission in 2024 by: Matt Petersen
Now that the presidential election has concluded and 2024 is drawing to a close, it is worth looking back at one of the most consequential years for the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in recent memory. From expanding opportunities for federal candidates to both collaborate with grassroots groups on getting out the vote and raise unlimited money for state ballot measures to clarifying the ways in which candidates and parties can engage in joint fundraising activities to issuing guidance on the use of AI-generated content in campaign ads, the FEC had a remarkably active year that will have an enduring impact on the country’s electoral system.
Vance, NRSC, and NRCC Seek Supreme Court Review of Party Coordinated Expenditure Limits
J.D. Vance, the NRSC, and the NRCC filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the Supreme Court on December 4 seeking review of their challenge to the limits on coordinated spending by political parties and candidates.
Federal District Court Blocks Enforcement of Corporate Transparency Act’s Beneficial Ownership Reporting Rule
On December 3, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a nationwide injunction that prohibits the government from enforcing the beneficial ownership reporting rule in the Corporate Transparency Act along with the January 1, 2025 compliance deadline.
Union and Its PAC Hit with Hefty Penalty for Unauthorized Deductions and Failure to Provide Required Notices
A recent consent judgment issued by the U.S. District Court for D.C. provided a powerful reminder to corporate and labor union PACs that they must obtain affirmative consent from employees before deducting amounts from their paychecks through payroll deduction systems (i.e., no “reverse checkoffs”), and include the required notices on all PAC solicitations.
New York State Board of Elections Publishes Automatic Voter Registration Regulations for Comment
On December 9, 2024, the Commissioners of the New York State Board of Elections voted unanimously to approve and send out for public comment regulations to implement Automatic Voter Registration in New York State.
Controversial Resolution Adopted by New York State Public Campaign Finance Board
On December 9, 2024, the New York State Public Campaign Finance Board met and approved on a 4-3 party line vote a regulation permitting candidates in the public campaign finance program to transfer funds to party committees.
Change to New York Lobbying Act Filing Procedures Remains in Effect During Court Challenge
On November 26, 2024, David Grandeau, an attorney and former state ethics official, and two lobbying firms filed a lawsuit against the New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG). At issue is a rule recently adopted by COELIG known as the “Responsible Party Amendment.
State Court Upholds Missouri Voter ID Requirement
Cole County Circuit Court Judge Jon Beetem has upheld Missouri's voter ID law, dismissing a lawsuit filed by the Missouri NAACP and other plaintiffs who argued that the law restricts voting rights.
Washington State Court of Appeals Upholds $35 Million Judgement Against Meta for Campaign Finance Disclosure Violations
On December 2, the Washington State Court of Appeals upheld a $35 million judgment against Meta Platforms for repeated violations of the state’s campaign finance laws that require online platforms to maintain records pertaining to political advertising.
North Carolina Legislators Override Governor’s Veto to Move Control Over Election Boards to State Auditor
On December 11, North Carolina's Republican-controlled legislature overrode Democratic Governor Roy Cooper’s veto to enact a law that shifts control over state and local election boards from the governor to the state auditor.
