the states argue that corporate money .
the states filed a brief with the supreme court on monday in support of a century - old law in montana – the corrupt practices act – against companies pumping money into elections .
the law was struck down by a montana court following the us supreme court ruling two years ago in the citizens united case , which lifted most restrictions on corporations spending money on political advertising .
that position has blocked the montana ruling .
virginia - based american tradition partnership is asking the nation 's high court to rule without a hearing because the group says the state law conflicts directly with the citizens united decision that removed the federal ban on corporate campaign spending .
but the states also said they would support a supreme court decision from being used to strike down state laws restricting corporate campaign spending .
if the supreme court has since upheld the state legislatures greater leeway in limiting corporate money in politics .
the states led by new york are asking the high court to preserve montana law .
legal observers say do n't count nearly half of us states have thrown their weight behind a legal defence of local laws restricting corporate money in politics by asking the supreme court to revisit its widely - criticised ban on similar national legislation .