{"argument_date":"2011-03-28T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2011-03-28T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2010","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Maurer argued the law favors preferred candidates. He compared it to a prior Supreme Court case.","Justice Kagan noted a difference from that prior case. She said the prior law had a discriminatory restriction.","Mr. Phillips argued public funding increases electoral competition. He stated the law combats real and apparent corruption."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 25-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 25-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 7-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 7-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 51-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 31-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 31-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 3-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 3-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 13-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 33-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 49-49"}]}],"caption":"Arizona Free Enterprise Club's Freedom Club Pac v. Bennett","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.054586Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.086393Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case argue the law chills speech. the opposing sides claim it fights corruption.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 7-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 7-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 31-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 31-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 3-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 3-25"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2011-03-28T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2010","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/10-238.html","primary_docket":"10-238","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T00:03:10.474587Z","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 a state law. It triggers extra public funds for candidates. This happens when independent groups spend money against them. the sides that brought the case call this a penalty. the opposing sides call it a subsidy."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 7-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 7-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 31-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 31-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 3-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 3-25"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 28, 2011."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 27-29"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the law struck down. They say it punishes their speech.","the opposing sides want the law upheld. They say it prevents corruption."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 7-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 7-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 31-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 31-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 3-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 3-25"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue the law manipulates elections. They claim it burdens free speech more than prior cases.","the opposing sides argue the law increases speech. They claim it serves a compelling government interest."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 7-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 7-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 31-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 31-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 3-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 3-25"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kagan asked if independent speakers challenged the law.","Justice Kagan asked if the law restricts speech at all."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 25-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 25-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 51-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 13-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 33-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 49-49"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute defines state power over elections. It balances free speech against corruption concerns. The outcome shapes campaign finance rules nationwide."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 7-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 7-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 31-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 31-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 3-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 3-25"}]},{"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 25-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 25-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 51-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 51-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 7-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 35-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 35-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 25-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 49-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 13-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 33-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 33-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 33-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 7-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 7-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 37-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 37-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 49-49"}]}],"slug":"2010-10-238-arizona-free-enterprise-club-s-freedom-club-pac-v-bennett","term":"2010","title":"Can a state law punish candidates who lose to independent spenders?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 7-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 7-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 21-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 44, lines 31-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 44, lines 31-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 3-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2010/10-238.pdf","page_label":"file page 57, lines 3-25"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}