How does the exacting scrutiny standard apply to a disclosure or disclaimer requirement?

Under the exacting scrutiny standard, the proponent of an electoral disclosure or disclaimer requirement must identify an "important governmental interest" the statute serves. Family PAC v. McKenna, 685 F.3d 800, 806 (9th Cir. 2011). If the proponent identifies an important governmental interest, the court then determines whether the regulation "bear[s] a substantial relationship" to that governmental interest. Brumsickle, 624 F.3d at 1008. "To survive exacting scrutiny, 'the strength of the governmental interest must reflect the seriousness of the actual burden on First Amendment rights.'"

Page 12

McKenna, 685 F.3d at 806 (quoting Davis v. Fed. Elections Comm'n, 554 U.S. 724, 744 (2008)). A court, therefore, weighs the strength of the governmental interest against the actual burden on First Amendment rights. See id. at 806-11. If the governmental interest outweighs the burden on speech, then the regulation survives the free speech challenge.