In America’s presidential race, dark money is expected to explode this year, says The Rural Blog. Dark money is the term used for political spending from secret donors whose names candidates are not required to disclose. During the 2012 election cycle, more than $308 million in dark money was spent on campaigns. Of those secret contributions, 86 percent came from conservative groups.
Campaigns are now no longer required to disclose who is giving them money, and for what purpose. This has been the case ever since the landmark 2010 Supreme Court ruling know as Citizens United.
A recent analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics says, “Citizens are now more in the dark than ever about whether elected officials are working for them or for special interests behind their campaigns.” The study concluded: “Congress could require more disclosure about who is financing campaigns, but it has made no move to do so.”