Final answer:
The ruling in Citizens United v. FEC led to the emergence of super PACs that can raise unlimited funds from various groups, including corporations and unions, to influence elections without direct contributions to candidates.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the consequences of the court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC was the rise of Political Action Committees (PACs), specifically known as super PACs, which can raise unlimited funds from corporations, unions, and individuals. These super PACs are categorized as independent expenditure-only committees and can spend money to campaign for or against political candidates or ballot initiatives. However, they are not allowed to contribute directly to individual candidates' campaigns. The Citizens United decision equated unlimited political spending with free speech, enabling both corporations and unions to have a potentially larger influence on the political process.