“Details of the money behind Jan. 6 protests continue to emerge”

October 26, 2021, 8:56 amUncategorizedRichard Pildes

From OpenSecrets: New details of how a top fundraiser for former President Donald Trump’s campaign “parked” funds with groups that helped organize the Jan. 6 rally before the Capitol attack shine light on the coordination between seemingly independent… Continue reading

“Trump’s political operation paid more than $4.3 million to Jan. 6 organizers but questions remain about the full extent of its involvement”

September 1, 2021, 6:55 amcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

Anna Massoglia for OpenSecrets: Former President Donald Trump’s political operation reported paying more than $4.3 million to people and firms that organized the Jan. 6 rally since the start of the 2020 election. However, questions remain about the full… Continue reading

“A Stunning Passage from the Latest Court Rejection of Team Trump”

December 13, 2020, 5:09 pmfraudulent fraud squadRick Hasen

Andrew McCarthy at National Review: The most telling aspect of the Wisconsin federal district court’s rejection of another Trump campaign lawsuit on Saturday is so obvious it is easy to miss. And no, it is not that the rejecting was… Continue reading

Must-Read from AP: “‘Mercenary’ Donor Sold Access for Millions in Foreign Money”

November 30, 2020, 12:44 pmcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

AP: As an elite political fundraiser, Imaad Zuberi had the ear of top Democrats and Republicans alike — a reach that included private meetings with then-Vice President Joe Biden and VIP access at Donald Trump’s inauguration.He lived a lavish, jet-setting… Continue reading

“Trump to appear at fundraiser for allied super PAC”

May 30, 2018, 8:52 pmcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Politico: President Donald Trump is plunging into the big-donor game, planning an appearance at a six-figure-a-head fundraiser benefiting his allied super PAC. Trump is expected to address America First Action’s leadership summit, according to the super PAC’s president, Brian Walsh.… Continue reading

Suit to Force Wake County NC to Clean Its Voter Rolls Under the NVRA Survives Motion to Dismiss

February 21, 2017, 2:08 pmNVRA (motor voter), The Voting WarsRick Hasen

Court order: Considering VIP-NC’s allegation that the number of registered voters in Wake County has exceeded, and continues to exceed, the number of eligible voters, which allegation is in turn supported by reliable data and WBOE’s failure to use available… Continue reading

“EXCLUSIVE: De Blasio doled out city appointments from shady spreadsheet of big campaign donors”

May 31, 2016, 11:41 amcampaign finance, lobbyingRick Hasen

NYDN: When Mayor de Blasio began handing out prestigious appointments to obscure boards and committees in his first months in City Hall, he turned to a system of cash for cachet. His team assembled an elite spreadsheet of major… Continue reading

Same as It Ever Was Dep’t

October 23, 2015, 7:29 amcampaign finance, campaigns, lobbyingRick Hasen

DNC courts lobbyist cash with promise of VIP access at convention

“Political parties go after million-dollar donors in wake of looser rules”

September 20, 2015, 12:20 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Must-read WaPo on the return of soft money: The national political parties are urging wealthy backers to give them 10 times more money than was allowed in the last presidential election, taking advantage of looser restrictions to pursue million-dollar donors… Continue reading

“Voting Information Project makes official data available wherever voters look for it – online”

July 16, 2015, 12:46 pmelection administrationRick Hasen

Electionline: In 2008, The Pew Charitable Trusts and Google realized voters were having trouble finding accurate voting information. Millions of people were looking for answers to three main questions: “Where do I vote?”, “What’s on my ballot?”, and “How… Continue reading

“Pro-Scott Walker super PAC spells out perks for $1 million donors”

May 20, 2015, 7:29 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: What does a million-dollar political donor get for his or her money these days? The answer is spelled out in great detail in a handout from the super PAC supporting Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s potential presidential bid. Among… Continue reading

The Voting Wars Come to Forsyth County, NC

January 5, 2014, 8:15 pmelection administration, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

A reader sends along the following links about a partisan fight over firing the County’s election director, ad the involvement of the controversial Civitas Institute: Forsyth elections board files petition to fire Coffman http://m.journalnow.com/news/elections/local/article_8c42b4ce-62d9-11e3-8849-0019bb30f31a.html?mode=jqm The Petition http://civitasreview.com/files/2013/12/20131212140347248.pdf Coffman denies misconduct… Continue reading

Mazur: Should We Have VIP Lanes for Military Voters?

August 7, 2012, 9:10 amelection administration, military votingRick Hasen

Here is a guest post from Prof. Diane Mazur: Should We Have VIP Lanes for Military Voters? The Obama campaign has challenged an Ohio law that extends the early voting period for members of the military, but not for… Continue reading