Teachers Guide to Election Reform Page 1 LESSON 6: CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM Lesson Overview: Students will examine aspects of campaign finance reform. They will analyze components of campaign finance reform and determine whether it is beneficial. Activity 1: Have students read the Associated Press story below. The article was published on March 30, 2002 in the Arizona Daily Star.   New Law Halts Kids Political Contributions. “Washington   –   The   new   campaign   finance   law   seeks   to   limit   the   influence   if corporations,   unions,   and   rich   people   –   and   also   make   it   illegal   for   kids   to donate money. “Supporters   of   the   change   say   adults   were   abusing   the   system   by   contributing in   children’s   names.   Critics   say   the   law   will   punish   youngsters   with   a   strong interest in politics.” “We   are   constantly   told   about   the   need   to   get   more   citizens   involved   in   the electoral   process,”   said   Rep.   Patrick   Tiberi   (R-Ohio).   “With   this   bill,   we   are doing  just  the  opposite.  We  are  telling  young  people,  the  folks  we  want  to  get involved  now  so  they  will  stay  involved  in  years  to  come,  ‘No  thanks,  maybe when you’re older.’” While   the   purpose   of   the   new   campaign   finance   law   when   it   goes   into   effect   on November  6,  2002,  is  to  ban  the  hundreds  of  millions  of  dollars  that  corporations, businesses,   and   individuals   now   give   to   the   national   parties   as   “soft   money,”   the law   also   makes   it   illegal   for   anyone   17   and   under   to   make   a   contribution.   Ask students to discuss the pros and cons of this new campaign finance law. Activity 2: Examine the bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (HR 2356), which passed in the House in February, followed by the Senate in March.   Visit www.senate.gov/~mccain/cfrpage.htm to read the bill.   Under current law, minors can contribute the same as adults: $1,000 a year to a federal candidate, $15,000 to a political committee and $20,000 to a national party. Why do you believe the sponsors of the Campaign Reform Act of 2002 changed this? Why has Senator Mitch McConnell, a chief architect of the election reform law, become a chief opponent of the Campaign Reform Act and filed suit in federal court to challenge its constitutionality? The main elements of the Campaign Finance Reform Act forbid large unlimited contributions, known as soft money, to the national political parties. It also restricts outside