Citizens United v. FEC

Texas voters head to the polls Nov. 3 to decide the governor's race between Republican Greg Abbott and Democrat Gina Hinojosa, a U.S. Senate contest between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico, and local races including Harris County judge (Letitia Plummer vs. Orlando Sanchez). Candidates differ on property taxes, school choice, healthcare, and campaign finance reform, with some proposals requiring congressional or legislative approval to take effect. Federal records show Talarico significantly outraised Paxton, though outside spending adds to both sides. Houston voters also face Proposition A, a single yes-or-no charter amendment combining a ban on no-knock warrants with deprioritizing low-level marijuana enforcement. Texas enters the election with a record 19 million registered voters.

A group of Oregon good-government advocates has filed an initiative petition aiming to amend the state constitution and bar corporations, unions, and nonprofits from using treasury funds to influence elections. The chief petitioners, tied to the League of Women Voters of Oregon, Honest Elections Oregon, and Consolidated Oregon Indivisible Network, say the measure would require political spending to be traceable to individual donors, with corporate entities limited to raising money through disclosed political committees or encouraging volunteer efforts.

The proposal is modeled on similar measures in Montana and Hawaii and responds to frustration with the Oregon Legislature, which passed contribution-limit reforms in 2024 only to weaken them this year with what critics call loophole-ridden replacements. Backers cite record-breaking campaign spending in state races and note Oregon leads the nation in per-capita corporate contributions to legislators. The measure, targeting the 2028 ballot, would also indirectly counter effects of the Citizens United ruling by restricting corporate-funded independent expenditures. Organizers now need to gather signatures statewide to qualify for the ballot.