Note 49 — Chapter VII · SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS

Various other things, not in themselves wrong, have been made illegal by statute because they are regarded as contrary to good public policy in that they tend to render an election undignified, or unfair, or unnecessarily expensive. Canvassing and distribution of campaign literature is forbidden within a certain radius of the polling place. Campaign advertisements must not be printed in some states unless they bear the name and address of a qualified voter. Candidates are required to file with the proper authorities a statement of their campaign expenses and it is illegal to spend more than a prescribed sum even for purely legitimate purposes, such as the hiring of halls and the printing of posters. The purpose of these provisions is not only to render the election a dignified affair, as becomes an exercise of popular sovereignty, but to give every candidate, rich or poor, as nearly equal a chance as the laws can ensure. These regulations are sometimes evaded, it is true, but on the whole they are well respected both by party organizations and by candidates. In Senator Newberry’s case the United States Supreme Court ruled that Congress could not limit the campaign expenses of candidates for election to the Senate or the House. Control of these elections rests with the several states.