Alaska Public Offices Commission v. Donna Patrick, James K. Barnett, and John P. Lambert

Summary

The court held that Alaska's contribution limits are unconstitutional as applied to groups that make only independent expenditures because such contributions cannot give rise to quid pro quo corruption or its appearance under controlling federal constitutional principles. It therefore concluded that the superior court erred by reversing APOC's dismissal of the complaints and relying on an inapposite federal decision. The court reversed and remanded for proceedings consistent with its opinion.