WASHINGTON — Susan B. Anthony List, a pro-life organization, will have its case heard at the U.S. Supreme Court. The case revolves around political speech during political campaigns.
Reuters reported that the Ohio state law allows candidates as well as citizens to file complaints about alleged false slogans, which led to a contentious state electoral commission hearing. The hearing went against groups like Susan B. Anthony List, which are pivotal advocacy groups during political campaign season.
Supreme Court justices were skeptical of whether the Ohio law is constitutional, especially after Democratic congressman Steve Driehaus filed a complaint to the Ohio Elections Commission that specifically named Susan B. Anthony List’s campaign slogans during a 2010 congressional race. The slogans, which highlighted Driehaus’ stance on abortions, “Shame on Steve Driehaus! Driehaus voted FOR taxpayer-funded abortion.”
Driehaus filed a complaint and the commission voted 2-1 in favor of him, issuing a hearing on the matter. Susan B. Anthony List then sued in federal court to challenge the Ohio law.
Justice Anthony Kennedy said that the law could violate rights under the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment, which Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg hinted that such slogans could cost candidates at critical junctures in campaign season.
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