After the Citizens United decision, Super PACs dominated the media discourse on campaign finance. But a hidden trend among rich donors could have a much bigger impact on this election cycle. Dark money is funneled through “social welfare non-profits” listed as 501(c)(4)s, which don’t have to disclose their donors. As a result, we don’t even know how much some groups have spent this election cycle. 

Nation editor and publisher Katrina vanden Heuvel appeared on Up with Chris Hayes to talk about the “scary” effect of dark money on our elections. Vanden Heuvel calls for a movement after this election against the corporate money that is “drowning out the voice of the people.”

—Steven Hsieh

For more on the influence of money in politics, check out Lee Fang’s blog.