As the November Congressional and Presidential elections are just around the corner, Missouri, a key swing state, has come under the microscope for the state’s campaign finance laws, or lack thereof. In 2010, Missouri passed Senate Bill 844 to establish campaign finance restrictions on donations in state and congressional races. The law required that an officeholder/candidate report contributions over $500 within 48 hours of receipt and restricted campaign finance committees from contributing money to another committee. However, the Missouri Supreme Court overturned the law in February of this year, holding the statute violated a section of the state’s constitution “prohibiting legislators from amending a bill to change its original purpose.” Senate Bill 844 was initially proposed to address administrative contracting issues in statewide elections, but several amendments were added to address looming campaign finance concerns. This decision has left Missouri campaign donations relatively unchecked and the State’s campaign ethics laws “the most lax in the country.” [Read more…] about The Battleground 2012: Uncapped in Missouri: Missouri’s “Lax” Campaign Finance Laws Generate Concerns of Fraud and Corruption