Marnie Masuda

A bold proposal will soon land on Gov. Josh Green’s desk. If he signs Senate Bill 2471 into law, he will grant Hawaii a very real chance of countering the devastation to our election processes caused by the 2010 Supreme Court decision in “Citizens United v. FEC.” Maui Indivisible stands firmly in support of 2471, and asks anyone who cares about fair elections and a more responsible, responsive leadership, to contact the governor and urge him to approve the bill. Gov. Green is the last hurdle between our current system awash in Big Money influence and a people-powered Hawaii Nei.

Here’s a little background: The U.S. Supreme Court dealt our already-flawed Democracy a devastating blow when the court ruled in favor of the plaintiff, Citizens United, a conservative advocacy nonprofit, in their lawsuit against the Federal Elections Commission (FEC).

The “Citizens United” decision removed limits on corporate campaign donations, allowing corporations to exert outsized influence over elections and policy decisions. Corporations, the decision contended, were actually human beings and entitled to the same First Amendment rights as people. Their money, by extension, a form of “free speech,” and any limitation would be a violation of constitutional rights.

“Wait, what?”

That’s what a lot of actual, real people asked. A corporation is clearly not an individual person, right? Have you ever asked a corporation out on a date? Helped one grieve the loss of a loved one? Looked one in the eyes and told it how much you love it? Held a corporation in your arms when it was a little baby company?

​Same here. Never.

Since 2010, “overturn Citizens United!” has been a rallying cry for people who believe each person — regardless of income, infirmity, education level, or religious persuasion — should have an equal say in who we elect to represent us, and how we elect them.

According to a 2023 Pew Research Center poll, 72% of voters in the U.S. believe in limiting the amount of money corporations and individuals can spend on political campaigns. The Americans who distrust the government and don’t bother to vote say they believe that the system caters to wealthy donors, corporations, and economic influencers. A University of Rochester study found that roughly 80% of Americans think Big Money has too much influence over congressional decisions, and 70% believe constituents have too little.

This perception has increased. During the 2008 election cycle, billionaire and corporate contributions to elections amounted to roughly $15 million. By 2012, two years after the Citizens United decision, the average had ballooned to $231 million. In 2024, billionaire and corporate donations amounted to a staggering $2.6 billion. The fact that our democracy is in grave danger couldn’t be clearer.

We must begin somewhere. We must act boldly, and we must start now if we aim to change the trajectory.

Senate Bill 2471 doesn’t overturn Citizens United. Rather, it recognizes the power of each state to limit the power of the corporations and entities the state creates (through incorporation laws and state charters). Individual states, including Hawaii, have routinely granted “carte blanche” power to corporations, but they are under no federal obligation to do so.

States have always had the power to prohibit corporations from donating to, and spending on, political campaigns and election activity. Senate Bill 2471 asserts this power, moves Hawaii towards a more democratic system, and establishes a government that is more responsive to the people of Hawai’i, not Big Money interests.

Marnie Masuda is a Lead Organizer for Maui Indivisible. For more information about Indivisible, log on to indivisiblehawaii.org/chapters/maui/ or request to join Maui Indivisible: Fighting for a People Powered Democracy on Facebook.