MBE Fast Fact: Candidates and Campaigning

Seems to me that there is very often a question or two (in the subject of Constitutional Law) on candidates and campaigning for election.  Here are a few quick points to keep in mind:

~ States may not charge candidates a fee that results in making it impossible for indigents to run for office.

~ Ballot access regulations are not per se unconstitutional, but any regulation must be a reasonable, nondiscriminatory means of promoting important state interests.  A state may require a candidate to show reasonable support prior to allowing that candidate to have his/her name placed on the ballot.

~ The government may allocate more public funds to the two major political parties than to other minor parties for political campaigns.