City of Boulder 2H – Call to Abolish Corporate Personhood

In January 2010 the US Supreme Court ruled in Citizens United v. the Federal Election Commission that the First Amendment of the Constitution allows for unlimited expenditures in candidate elections by for-profit and not-for-profit corporations as well as unions. In so doing, the Court struck down a provision of the McCain-Feingold Campaign Reform Act.

Move to Amend is a national organization dedicated to preventing corporations from having an excessive influence in politics. The local chapter succeeded in getting this issue on the ballot.

Opponents of this measure point out that trying to abolish corporate personhood would also take away the rights of non-profit corporations. (See the 1963 NAACP v. Button opinion written by William Brennan.)

Recommendation: for

Despite the language in Ordinance 7807 stating that this ballot measure “would amend the First Amendment of the United States Constitution,” passing this measure would not change the US Constitution or any laws or official definitions. It only makes a statement. I would hope that any kinks in the language would be ironed out before a constitutional amendment is actually proposed and voted upon. If you agree with the sentiment of the statement, vote for it.


Website for the Yes side (Yes on 2H)
http://www.yeson2h.org/

Website for the No side
No known website -- Info on an opposition website appreciated.


City of Boulder Ballot Question No. 2H (Approved Ballot Language)

Amendment to Abolish Corporate Personhood

Shall the People of the City of Boulder, Colorado, call for reclaiming democracy from the corrupting effects of corporate influence by amending the United States Constitution to establish that:
1) Only human beings, not corporations, are entitled to constitutional rights; and
2) Money is not speech, and therefore regulating political contributions and spending is not equivalent to limiting political speech.
‐ For the measure
‐ Against the measure


See Ordinance No. 7807 to refer 2H to the voters.
http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/files/Elections/2011/Ordinances/7807.pdf