In Daggett v. Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, 205 F.3d 445 (1st Cir. 2000), the plaintiff-appellants sued to strike down Maine's election laws that provided for generous public financing of political campaigns. After raising $5 donations from enough residents of the state, candidates could receive as much money as anyone spent in the last election if they agreed not to take any money from private parties. The plaintiffs argued that those restrictions weren't voluntary, but unconstitutionally coercive because the public funding scheme was too good a deal. Oh no! This deal is too good! I'd be crazy not to take it! They must be forcing me!
The lower court judgment for the defendants was affirmed.
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