High Court Strikes Down Ariz. Campaign Finance Law

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court has struck down a provision of a campaign financing system in Arizona that gives extra cash to publicly funded candidates who face privately funded rivals and independent groups.

The 5-4 ruling Monday is the latest in a series of decisions by the court's conservative majority upending campaign finance laws.

The Arizona law was passed in the wake of a public corruption scandal and was intended to reward candidates who forgo raising campaign cash, even in the face of opponents' heavy spending fueled by private money.

The court said the law violates the First Amendment.