, with most of the money coming from unknown sources. This influx in dark money has spurred concern among some campaign finance experts and other observers, who worry that much of the money could be used to influence voters without giving them any information about its origins.
The use of dark money has concerned many in the past and continues to do so now because it allows for these political committees to accept and spend funds from anonymous donors, while still routing the money to candidates, PACs, and parties. There are currently no laws governing this practice, but a number of states have passed or proposed legislation aimed at restricting the ability of outside organizations to purchase political advertising without disclosing their identities.
While the amount of dark money used in this election cycle is much higher than in past cycles, some argue that it will actually be beneficial to the political process because it gives a larger variety of voices to engage in the democratic process. That said, it is important for the public to consider the long-term implications of dark money in politics and take the necessary steps to ensure our elections remain fair and transparent.
