{"argument_date":"2006-02-28T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2006-02-28T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2005","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Bopp argued candidates must freely express views on public issues.","Mr. Sorrell asserted money buys access to officials.","Ms. Wright asked why voters do not simply vote out corrupt officials."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 3-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 3-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 45-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 45-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 37-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 1-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 1-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 5-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 17-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 17-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 39-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 45-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 15-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 41-11"}]}],"caption":"Randall v. Sorrell","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:28.766020Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case argue Vermont's spending limits violate free speech. the opposing sides claim the limits prevent corruption.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 1-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 1-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 17-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 17-1"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2006-02-28T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2005","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/04-1528.html","primary_docket":"04-1528","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T13:47:19.761814Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests state power to limit campaign money. the sides that brought the case seek to strike down the limits. the opposing sides seek to keep them in place."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 1-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 1-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 17-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 17-1"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 28, 2006."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 5-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the Court to strike down Vermont's spending limits.","the opposing sides want the Court to uphold Vermont's spending limits."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 1-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 1-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 17-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 17-1"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue spending limits violate First Amendment free speech rights.","the opposing sides argue spending limits serve a compelling interest in preventing corruption."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 1-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 1-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 17-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 17-1"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Ginsburg asked if the sides that brought the case argue no limits on expenditures exist.","Justice Stevens asked why further hearings to justify limits would be inappropriate."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 3-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 3-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 45-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 45-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 37-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 39-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 45-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 15-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 41-11"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute defines the boundary between free speech and election integrity. It shapes how states regulate political money. It affects every candidate's ability to speak. It determines the scope of anti-corruption laws."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 1-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 1-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 17-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 17-1"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 3-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 3-11"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 45-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 45-5"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 37-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 5-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 13-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 39-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 39-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 45-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 15-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-11","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 41-11"}]}],"slug":"2005-04-1528-randall-v-sorrell","term":"2005","title":"Can States Cap Campaign Spending to Prevent Corruption?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 1-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 1-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 19-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 19-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 17-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2005/04-1528.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 17-1"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}