ACLJ Says Minors Are the Real Winners in Federal Court Decision Striking Provision of Campaign Finance Reform Law Unconstitutional.

Business Editors

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2003

The American Center for Law and Justice, an international public interest law firm specializing in constitutional law, said today's decision by a special three-judge federal panel declaring the portion of the campaign finance law that prohibits the participation of minors unconstitutional is an important victory for the First Amendment rights of politically active young people who want to exercise their constitutional rights.

"The decision makes it clear that you cannot discriminate against minors when it comes to the constitutionally protected right of participating in the electoral process," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ, which filed suit challenging the campaign finance reform law on behalf of young adults. "The decision clears the way for the full participation of all Americans in the political process. This decision safeguards the First Amendment rights of young people and guarantees that campaign finance reform cannot single out and discriminate on the basis of age."

The special three-judge federal panel unanimously struck down as unconstitutional a provision of the campaign finance law that prohibits persons aged 17 years and younger from donating to the campaigns of candidates. The ACLJ filed suit challenging the law on behalf of six young people - all the under the age of 18 - who are interested in politics and have volunteered to work in electoral campaigns but were prohibited from making monetary contributions. Sekulow said the ACLJ is prepared to defend today's decision if the federal government appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The American Center for Law and Justice is an international public interest law firm specializing in constitutional law. The ACLJ is headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA and its web site address is www.aclj.org.