The Supreme Court's landmark decision in the Citizens United case (Citizens United v. FEC) has struck down key campaign finance laws and lifted certain restrictions on the types of expenditures and communications organizations can make related to elections.  There has been much debate over what the real impact of this decision will be in the 2010 elections and beyond, but what about the impact on advocacy?

Often, we think of advocacy on issues in the context of legislative action, but because issues are also central to elections, the campaigns are equally—if not more—important to issue outcomes.  One potential outcome of Citizens United is that organizations may be in a better position to mobilize constituents to hold candidates accountable on the issues that matter.  

For example, take GOTV efforts.  Traditionally, many organizations have stressed the importance of voting and communicated the fact that politics do impact the success of a company, industry, or non-profit's mission.  With Citizens United, groups may be able to directly communicate how specific candidates measure up on key issues as part of a GOTV program.

Beyond GOTV, organizations will likely be freer to jump into the fray and use the elections as an opportunity to tie their issues to the candidates, and encourage constituents to vote for or against a particular candidate based on their issue position.  This type of activity could take many forms, from paid media and advertising to employee/member communications and online campaigns.  

What is clear is that the Citizens United decision is a game-changer.  Although many groups are still figuring out the exact implications for their organizations, the decision has surely expanded opportunities to advocate on issues in the elections.

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