Half of US States Are Now in Revolt Over Money in Politics

BOISE - Idaho became the 25th state Wednesday to formally urge Congress to propose a constitutional amendment that allows federal and state legislative bodies to have greater authority over the flow of money in US politics. 

This comes after Senate Joint Memorial 109 (SJM 109) was approved with bipartisan support in both chambers of the Idaho Legislature.

For years, critics of the current campaign finance system have argued that a long line of federal court decisions has steadily stripped Congress and the states of the flexibility to respond to new forms of political spending.

SJM 109 backs a constitutional amendment aimed at restoring that authority.

“Campaigning for a seat in the Legislature or statewide executive office is more challenging than it’s ever been, and at the root of it is a financial arms race powered by dark money and big checks written by out-of-state interests,” said Rep. Brandon Mitchell, the House co-sponsor.

According to the resolution’s supporters, more than $17 million was spent on campaign and independent expenditures in Idaho legislative races in 2024. Of that, more than $9.3 million came from outside groups. 

One Virginia-based PAC alone reportedly spent more than $700,000 trying to influence specific races.

Sen. Carl Bjerke, a Republican from Coeur d’Alene who sponsored SJM 109 in the Senate, said reform must begin with Idaho reclaiming control over its own campaign finance laws and reasserting the principle that election policy should be decided by the people of the state.

“It’s time to do something to reverse a trend that is fueling distrust, cynicism, and inequity in our electoral process,” he remarked.

SJM 109 was approved not long after Oklahoma became the 24th state to adopt a similar measure earlier this year. The cross-partisan organization American Promise reports that more than a dozen additional states are considering comparable resolutions.

They are in line with the group’s For Our Freedom Amendment, which now has support that stretches from Massachusetts to Montana, Alaska to Nevada, and West Virginia to California.

“Americans are calling for change, and with half the states now backing the constitutional solution to the money in politics crisis, momentum is growing,” said American Promise CEO Jeff Clements.

“As our country approaches our 250th anniversary, Americans across party lines are coming together to restore the constitutional freedom and balance our founders envisioned.”

Amending the US Constitution isn't an easy feat. Under Article V, an amendment needs two-thirds approval from Congress and ratification from three-fourths of the states (38).

This is a high bar to clear – especially in today's political environment.

However, American Promise has taken a different approach to accomplish its goal. Instead of going directly to Congress with the proposal, it is laying the groundwork by first getting support from the states.

The group believes reaching 25 states is more than symbolic. It means half the country is now on record in favor of changing the Constitution to give states and Congress more power to regulate election spending after decades of court decisions that narrowed those options.