The New Fight Over 'Dark Money' Campaign Donations

Some cities want to make campaign donors identify themselves. But lawmakers and lawsuits are getting in their way.

Voters in Tempe, Ariz., don't like undisclosed campaign funds sloshing into local politics. Last month, 91 percent of them approved an amendment to the city's charter that requires independent groups spending more than $1,000 on local elections to disclose their donors.

It won't matter.

Last week, the Arizona Legislature passed a bill blocking local governments from imposing such transparency rules on nonprofit groups. Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, who has benefited from millions in so-called dark money expenditures, is expected to sign it.

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