The Institute for Free Speech (IFS), formerly called the Center for Competitive Politics, is a

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headquartered in

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, that opposes campaign finance restrictions. It has worked to oppose limits on political donations and other campaign regulations. IFS' stated mission is to "promote and defend the First Amendment rights to freely speak, assemble, publish, and petition the government through strategic litigation, communication, activism, training, research, and education."

History

The Center for Competitive Politics was founded in 2005 by former

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Chairman Bradley A. Smith, a 2000 Clinton appointee who had been selected by congressional Republican leaders. Smith founded the organization with the goal of "challenging the current campaign finance system in both federal court and the court of public opinion." The organization represented the plaintiffs in '' SpeechNow.org v. Federal Election Commission'', Court of Appeals decision that authorized the creation of

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in 2010. In 2014, the organization challenged California's requirement that nonprofit groups must turn over their donor lists to the state in order to receive a license to solicit contributions from residents of the state. In 2014, the organization stated its opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment that would give Congress more power to regulate political spending. It has also opposed proposed

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guidelines that would redefine tax rules for social welfare organizations that engage in political advocacy as a secondary activity. In October 2017, the organization changed its name to the Institute for Free Speech, with an emphasis on "protecting First Amendment political speech rights". Allen Dickerson, legal director of the institute, became a member of the

in 2020, after being nominated by President

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and confirmed by a vote of 49 to 47 in the U.S. Senate.

Activities

The Institute for Free Speech represents plaintiffs in free speech cases. It has been particularly active in criticizing campaign finance regulations, taxpayer-financed political campaigns, and restrictions on referendums and ballot initiatives. The organization publishes various studies and reports on campaign finance and political speech matters, and provides pro bono legal counsel to parties in suits challenging the constitutionality of campaign finance statutes. It has also defended the right of independent groups to participate freely in the electoral process. The organization has a Free Speech Arguments Podcast that reviews oral arguments from First Amendment free political speech cases across the country. In 2024, the organization released a study of state laws regarding free speech protection against frivolous lawsuits. In 2024, the IFS sued the FEC over the discrepancy whereby small donors to federal election campaigns utilizing conduits

ActBlue ActBlue is an American Democratic Party political action committee (PAC) and fundraising platform founded in 2004. ActBlue is a major part of the Democratic Party's fundraising infrastructure. As of 2025, ActBlue reports that it has raised $16 ...

or WinRed are automatically made public but same-sized donations directly to the campaign are not. The suit seeks to afford the same level of anonymity to the small-donor conduit contributors.

References

External links

* {{official website, http://www.ifs.org
Organizational Profile
–

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(

Urban Institute The Urban Institute is a Washington, D.C.–based think tank that conducts economic and social policy research to "open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions". The institute receives funding from government contracts, foundations, and p ...

) Non-profit organizations based in Alexandria, Virginia Charities based in Virginia 2005 establishments in Virginia