YOUNG V. GAB

Case Name: Young v. Government Accountability Board

Type of Case: Free Speech; campaign finance

Court: U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin

Case Number: 13-CV-635

Filed On: June 6, 2013

Current Status: Stipulated order entered voiding aggregate campaign limits

Young v. GAB is a federal case challenging Wisconsin’s aggregate campaign contribution limits, which are even lower than the federal limits.  In fact, Wisconsin’s aggregate limit is set at the same level as the individual limit, meaning that if a donor gives a max contribution to one candidate, he or she cannot give even $1 to any other candidate.  WILL brought this case on behalf of Fred Young, a local philanthropist and businessman, alleging that the limit violates the freedom of speech and expression.

The case was stayed pending the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in McCutcheon v. FEC.  When the Supreme Court ruled that the federal limits were unconstitutional, the GAB quickly agreed to a stipulated judgment declaring Wisconsin’s limits unconstitutional, imposing an inunction on enforcing them, and paying WILL’s attorney fees.

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