ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES
August 1975

RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association adopts the following Statement of Principles concerning campaign financing and supports legislation which includes these principles:

1. Disclosure - There should be full and timely disclosure of campaign contributions and expenditures in excess of minimal amounts.
2. Contribution Limitations-Campaign contributions to candidates and political parties, including contributions by the candidates and their families, should be limited to reasonable amounts.
3. Expenditure Limitations -There should be no statutory limitations placed on campaign expenditures by candidates, parties, and independent citizens and groups.
4. Public Financing -

A Partial public financing of congressional and presidential elections is a desirable means of providing a floor for campaign funds and for promoting and ensuring an effective and competitive electoral process and minimizing the importance of wealth and the need for large contributions.
B Congress should examine alternate methods of such financing with special consideration given to the following:

i. Funding to candidates and parties based partially upon a contemporary measure of support rather than solely upon the basis of past performance;
ii. Eligibility for funding determined by a formula that recognizes the importance of citizen preference and support;
iii. Simultaneous public funding to all candidates;
iv. Fair and equitable treatment of minor parties and independent candidates;
v. The administrative cost involved in the distribution of public funds to candidates.

5. Federal election laws should be administered by a single, independent agency entrusted with effective enforcement power and the resources to discharge its responsibilities.