Citizen advocacy groups are criticizing a lawsuit that aims to end Hawaii’s ban on political donations by state and county contractors.

The lawsuit, filed by attorney James Bopp of Indiana on Friday, asks the U.S. District Court to lift the ban on donations by government contractors. The suit claims the ban illegally impairs freedom of speech.

Advocacy groups speaking against the lawsuit Monday include the League of Women Voters, Common Cause Hawaii, Americans for Democratic Action and Voter Owned Hawaii.

Jean Aoki of the League of Women Voters says “pay-to-play” restrictions are needed to prevent government corruption.

Nikki Love of Common Cause says even stronger laws are needed to prevent special interest money from influencing campaigns.