Impact of Buckley v. Vallejo on Campaign Finance Law

Buckley v. Vallejo established critical legal foundations for modern campaign finance laws, primarily by ruling that political spending is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment. This ruling underscored the notion that individuals cannot be restricted from spending their money on political campaigns, which has led to significant implications for political power dynamics. In contrast, it allowed for limitations on direct contributions to candidates, intending to mitigate corruption. Consequently, this decision created a framework wherein wealth could amplify one's political voice, thereby enriching the political discourse with voices of the affluent while marginalizing the average citizen.