1. United States
2. Del.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to take decisive action at the state level to oppose the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision, which has unleashed unlimited corporate and wealthy donor spending in our elections. This ruling has eroded the principle of political equality and undermined the voices of everyday voters in favor of a small group of megadonors. As highlighted by the Brennan Center for Justice, state legislatures have a powerful tool to push back: trigger laws. These laws, though unenforceable under current doctrine, would take effect if Citizens United or related campaign finance precedents were overturned. They serve as a clear and enduring statement of our state’s commitment to protecting democracy from the corrosive influence of big money. Importantly, they also help build the legal and political momentum necessary for eventual reform at the national level. History shows this strategy can work. The anti-abortion movement successfully used trigger laws to challenge Roe v. Wade, and the Supreme Court ultimately cited those state-level efforts in its decision to overturn that precedent. By enacting similar measures against Citizens United, our state can join a growing chorus of voices demanding a campaign finance system that prioritizes fairness, integrity, and equal participation. I urge you to consider legislation that: Enacts trigger laws limiting corporate and super PAC spending, to take effect if federal precedent changes. Includes strong explanatory provisions documenting how unlimited spending has harmed democracy, drowned out ordinary citizens, and eroded trust in government. Challenges related rulings such as McCutcheon v. FEC and Buckley v. Valeo, which further entrenched the dominance of wealthy donors. Passing such legislation would send a powerful signal that our state stands for democracy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few. It would also help lay the groundwork for a future in which campaign finance laws reflect the true spirit of the First Amendment: protecting the voices of all citizens equally.