Updated Aug 4, 2018

Judge rules donors to "dark-money" groups can no longer remain anonymous

Lauren Meier

Closeup of hand marking ballot for California primary. Photo: Visions of America/UIG via Getty Images

A federal judge has ruled that donors to "dark-money" groups — often politically active nonprofits — can no longer remain anonymous, Politico reports.

Why it matters: The ruling invalidates a Federal Election Commission (FEC) statute that allowed such donors to hide their identity and, according to Politico, could have "major implications for campaign finance." With the decision, nonprofits may be forced to reveal those who donate $200 or more towards federal elections.

The details: U.S. District Court Judge Beryl A. Howell ruled the existing regulation "fails to uphold the standard Congress intended when it required the disclosure of politically related spending." She explained, "[t]he challenged regulation facilitates such financial 'routing,' blatantly undercuts the congressional goal of fully disclosing the sources of money flowing into federal political campaigns, and thereby suppresses the benefits intended to accrue from disclosure."

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Judge rules donors to "dark-money" groups can no longer remain anonymous

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