Initiative Seeks to Get Big Money Out of Political Campaigns

SEATTLE (AP) — Proponents of a statewide ballot initiative want to get big money out of politics by backing a federal constitutional amendment that says free speech in the form of political contributions belongs to people, not corporations.

Opponents say the government shouldn't limit the First Amendment.

Instead of trying to overturn a series of U.S. Supreme Court decisions like Citizens United that led to the creation of Super PACs and "dark money" in politics, Initiative 735 backers seek a constitutional amendment they hope will level the political playing field.

The initiative requires that Washington state's congressional delegation propose a constitutional amendment saying constitutional rights "belong only to individuals, not corporations, and constitutionally protected free speech excludes the spending of money."

A long list of county and city officials across the state, dozens of state lawmakers, Gov. Jay Inslee and Washington's Democratic Congressional delegation have endorsed the measure.