What type of contributions were affected by the Citizens United v. FEC ruling?

The ruling in Citizens United v. FEC primarily impacted corporate and union contributions to political campaigns. The Supreme Court held that the government cannot restrict independent expenditures for political communication by corporations and unions, equating such spending to free speech protected under the First Amendment. This decision paved the way for organizations, including corporations and labor unions, to spend unlimited amounts of money on political advocacy and electioneering communications, as long as these expenditures are made independently and not coordinated with candidates or political parties.

The ruling shifted the landscape of political funding, allowing significant financial influence from corporations and unions in elections, which was seen by many as a way to enhance democratic engagement but also raised concerns about the potential for disproportionate influence on public policy and political outcomes. This context is essential when considering the implications of the ruling beyond the specific case, affecting how campaigns are funded and how political messages are disseminated during electoral cycles.