Should the Government Track Your Political Activity?

Under the law, the government has been able to track and make publically available the political contributions of all citizens.

Bradley Smith

Bradley Smith is an American jurist and legal scholar, currently the Josiah H. Blackmore II/​Shirley M. Nault Professor of Law at Capital University Law School, and was Commissioner, Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Federal Election Commission between 2000 and 2005.

Professor Brad Smith asks you to imagine the following scenario: at the height of the War on Terror, the government passes a second PATRIOT Act. This law would require you to report all your political activity to the government, including the campaigns you support. In addition, the government would then make a list of your political activity available to anyone -- potential employers, creditors, and even your neighbors. Does this sound like an invasion of your privacy?

According to Professor Brad Smith, we already have a law that does exactly this. It’s the Federal Elections Campaign Act of 1974 (FECA). Under the law, the government has been able to track and make publically available the political contributions of all citizens. This includes any political contributions you may have made.

There is a vibrant public debate as to whether or not the government should require individuals to disclose their campaign contributions. Professor Smith asks: “Should the government be keeping track of your political activity?”

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