A majority of Massachusetts voters want to get rid of Super PACs and to regulate them more effectively concluded a statewide Suffolk University poll of 800 likely voters conducted June 4-7, 2014. Even when Super PAC spending is framed as “free speech”, 55% of voters oppose them, or a whopping 81% once undecided voters are removed. 67% of voters approve of legislative efforts to regulate Super PACs, especially legislation to require better disclosure of individual donors, which increases to 84% with undecided voters removed.

“The results of the Suffolk University poll on Super PACs are not surprising,” said Pam Wilmot executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts. “The public is very concerned about big money and secret or “dark” money in politics and wants it out of our elections. Thanks toCitoyens Unis and other Supreme Court rulings, Super PACs can accept unlimited campaign cash from individuals, unions and corporations. As a result average citizens’ voices are drowned out by an increasingly large flood of money from ultra-wealthy donors and special interests. The Massachusetts legislature needs to act soon to close loopholes in the law that allow for so much of this money to come from secret sources. At the federal level, Congress should pass similar legislation to shine a light on dark money in federal elections and a constitutional amendment to allow for the complete elimination of Super PACs.”

Last week the U.S. Senate held a hearing on a proposed constitutional amendment (SJ.RES 19) that would allow Congress and the states to limit contributions and expenditures to influence elections.