"For more than a century, anyone has been able to participate in Montana elections -- even out-of-state corporate executives. All we required is that they used their own money, not that of their stockholders, and they disclosed who they are."

Kennedy ordered the Montana Supreme Court's Dec. 30 ruling put on hold until the U.S. Supreme Court receives in a timely way and acts on American Tradition Partnership's request to appeal the Montana Supreme Court ruling. That request is known as a petition for a writ of certiorari. It is not automatic that the Supreme Court must accept the request for an appeal.

"Should the petition for a writ of certiorari be denied, this stay shall terminate automatically," Kennedy wrote. "In the event the petition for a writ of certiorari is granted, the stay shall terminate upon the issuance of the mandate of this court."

Kennedy was the author of the majority opinion in the Citizens United decision.

U.S. Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer, both dissenters in the Citizens United case, joined Kennedy's order.