States kept from getting data on third-party giving

December 9, 1982

The Supreme Court, in a 9-to-0 decision, barred state officials from gathering information on people who contribute money to third-party political campaigns.

It was a defeat for Ohio officials, a victory for the Socialist Workers Party. Ohio unsuccessfully challenged a ruling striking a state law requiring campaign committees to report the name and address of each person contributing more than $25 or receiving campaign funds from the group.