Williams-Yulee v. Florida Bar

The Florida Bar (plaintiff) prohibited elected judges and judicial candidates from personally soliciting campaign funds, though it allowed candidates to write thank-you notes and let their campaign committees solicit donations. Lanell Williams-Yulee (defendant), running for a county court seat, mailed a letter to voters soliciting donations. The Florida Bar filed a disciplinary complaint, and Williams-Yulee argued the ban violated her free-speech rights. The Florida Supreme Court upheld the rule, and the U.S. Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Whether a state law prohibiting elected judges and judicial candidates from personally soliciting campaign funds violates the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech.