Latest news with #U.S.DistrictCourtofAppeals
San Francisco Chronicle
11-08-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Maine can't enforce foreign election interference law that appeals court calls unconstitutional
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine can't enforce a voter-approved foreign election interference law that a federal appeals court said likely violates the Constitution by limiting political donations. Voters overwhelmingly approved a ban on foreign governments and companies with 5% or more foreign government ownership from donating to state referendum races. The law is one of a handful around the country that attempt to limit foreign influence on U.S. elections. The law has been on hold pending federal lawsuits from utilities companies and media organizations that raise constitutional challenges about it. The U.S. District Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston said in court papers in July that it affirmed a lower-court ruling that the law likely violates the First Amendment. 'The prohibition is overly broad, silencing U.S. corporations based on the mere possibility that foreign shareholders might try to influence its decisions on political speech, even where those foreign shareholders may be passive owners that exercise no influence or control over the corporation's political spending," wrote Judge Lara Montecalvo. The matter was sent back to the lower court, where it will proceed, and there has been no substantive movement on it in recent weeks, said Danna Hayes, a spokesperson for the Maine attorney general's office, on Monday. The law is on the state's books, but the state cannot enforce it while legal challenges are still pending, Hayes said. Voters approved the law in 2023 by a margin of 86% to 14%. It followed a multimillion-dollar effort by a Canadian-owned utility to influence a project in Maine in which it's a partner. The law reflects the will of Maine residents to ensure clean elections, said Rick Bennett, chair of Protect Maine Elections, the committee formed to support the 2023 ballot initiative. He said the fight to save the law was still ongoing.
Winnipeg Free Press
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Maine can't enforce foreign election interference law that appeals court calls unconstitutional
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine can't enforce a voter-approved foreign election interference law that a federal appeals court said likely violates the Constitution by limiting political donations. Voters overwhelmingly approved a ban on foreign governments and companies with 5% or more foreign government ownership from donating to state referendum races. The law is one of a handful around the country that attempt to limit foreign influence on U.S. elections. The law has been on hold pending federal lawsuits from utilities companies and media organizations that raise constitutional challenges about it. The U.S. District Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston said in court papers in July that it affirmed a lower-court ruling that the law likely violates the First Amendment. 'The prohibition is overly broad, silencing U.S. corporations based on the mere possibility that foreign shareholders might try to influence its decisions on political speech, even where those foreign shareholders may be passive owners that exercise no influence or control over the corporation's political spending,' wrote Judge Lara Montecalvo. The matter was sent back to the lower court, where it will proceed, and there has been no substantive movement on it in recent weeks, said Danna Hayes, a spokesperson for the Maine attorney general's office, on Monday. The law is on the state's books, but the state cannot enforce it while legal challenges are still pending, Hayes said. Voters approved the law in 2023 by a margin of 86% to 14%. It followed a multimillion-dollar effort by a Canadian-owned utility to influence a project in Maine in which it's a partner. The law reflects the will of Maine residents to ensure clean elections, said Rick Bennett, chair of Protect Maine Elections, the committee formed to support the 2023 ballot initiative. He said the fight to save the law was still ongoing. 'Mainers spoke with one voice: our elections should belong to us, not to corporations owned or influenced by foreign governments whose interests may not align with our own,' Bennett said in a statement.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Clayton Co. Sheriff Victor Hill loses latest appeal effort on federal conviction
Former Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill, who was convicted of civil rights violations of inmates at the Clayton County Jail, lost his latest bid to have his conviction overturned in federal court. Hill's appeal to the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit was based on a claim of qualified immunity for actions that led to his previous conviction. The court has now denied that qualified immunity claim, saying that immunity is not a factor if constitutional rights of inmates are violated. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] RELATED STORIES: Former Clayton Co. Sheriff Victor Hill loses appeal in U.S. District Court Federal judge calls former Sheriff Victor Hill 'arrogant,' says he hasn't learned his lesson Ex-Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill learns federal prison sentence for civil rights violations 'I can live again': Man who was terrorized by Victor Hill relieved former sheriff going to prison Convicted Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill facing new investigation into certification Sheriff Victor Hill takes the stand for more than 3 hours in federal civil rights trial 'It felt like a lifetime': Detainee says Victor Hill tried to 'teach him a lesson' In the court case, which was between Glenn Howell and Hill, the court found that 'Hill's conviction arose from his punishment of Howell and five other compliant, nonresistant detainees by leaving them in a restraint chair for hours at a time.' The court ruling also mentioned a separate affirmation by the court of Hill's conviction while this interlocutory appeal based on qualified immunity was pending. 'This Court has now held that clearly established law put Hill on notice that the use of a restraint chair under the specific circumstances of this case was an unconstitutional use of force,' and violated the 14th Amendment rights of Howell and the others, according to the order denying Hill's appeal effort. Following his conviction in 2022, Hill was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison. In March 2024, Hill was transferred from federal prison to community confinement, earlier than the initially planned July 25, 2024 release, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
