Two important discussions on Wednesday next week

May 5, 2023, 9:44 amelection administration, election law biz, election subversion riskJustin Levitt

On May 10, Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs is hosting The Profession of Democracy: Election Administration and State Associations. Elections administrators, the people who referee our democracy, are literally and figuratively under threat. Long hours, harassment, malicious open… Continue reading

You’re stuck with me until Sunday…

May 5, 2023, 7:56 amUncategorizedJustin Levitt

… but starting Monday, Prof. Tabatha Abu El-Haj will be your faithful guide through the election law wilderness. Please send tips her way!

“Dianne Feinstein Has to Act”

May 5, 2023, 7:55 amUncategorizedJustin Levitt

The NYT editorial board joins a drumbeat.

More Moore

May 4, 2023, 8:54 pmelection law and constitutional law, redistricting, Supreme CourtJustin Levitt

The Court has asked for another round of briefing on what the heck should happen in Moore v. Harper, the current vehicle for the “independent state legislature” challenge, now that the North Carolina Supreme Court has said that the… Continue reading

“Iowa Democrats’ plan: Hold 1st caucuses, report votes later”

May 4, 2023, 8:52 pmprimariesJustin Levitt

Huh? Iowa Democrats are proposing a novel way to get around their demotion from the leadoff spot on the party’s presidential nominating calendar: They would still put on the first-in-the-nation caucuses but would be open to withholding the results until… Continue reading

“The Election Deniers’ Playbook for 2024”

May 4, 2023, 8:52 pmelection administration, election subversion risk, The Voting WarsJustin Levitt

The Brennan Center summarizes 14 tactics facilitating election subversion, and the ways that they’ve manifested in 2022 and 2023.

“Judicial activist directed fees to Clarence Thomas’s wife, urged ‘no mention of Ginni’”

May 4, 2023, 8:51 pmethics investigations, Supreme Court, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

WaPo reports: Conservative judicial activist Leonard Leo arranged for the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to be paid tens of thousands of dollars for consulting work just over a decade ago, specifying that her name be left… Continue reading

“Latin American election influence operation linked to Miami marketing firm”

May 4, 2023, 8:50 pmcheap speech, election subversion riskJustin Levitt

Reuters reporting on Reuters reporting, leading to a Meta investigation of an alleged political misinformation-for-hire firm – apparently operating mostly in Latin America.

“WA passed a ‘Voting Rights Act 2.0’ bill. Here’s what’s in it”

May 4, 2023, 8:48 pmlegislation and legislatures, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

Crosscut reviews adjustments to Washington’s state Voting Rights Act. These state VRAs are likely to become increasingly important – and as a bonus, are often more amenable to tweaks and updates than federal laws seem to be.

“Advocates in Florida clamor for a fix for the formerly incarcerated who want to vote”

May 4, 2023, 8:47 pmfelon votingJustin Levitt

NPR offers a reminder that Florida has said that individuals with past convictions can’t vote until they pay off all associated fines and fees, and has been increasingly aggressive about prosecuting missteps … but still has no single system for… Continue reading

Trial court enjoins Kansas prohibition on distributing personalized pre-filled absentee ballot applications

May 4, 2023, 8:47 pmabsentee ballots, campaigns, petition signature gatheringJustin Levitt

This is an intriguing decision, analogizing the challenge to cases protecting advocacy groups’ right to circulate petitions without undue regulation.

“Colorado county flouts state law aimed at curbing gerrymandering”

May 4, 2023, 8:46 pmredistrictingJustin Levitt

The intersection of redistricting and home rule is a sweet spot for local government conflict. The Denver Post has an update on Weld County.

“Democratic operative charged with NJ election fraud”

May 4, 2023, 8:46 pmchicanery, petition signature gatheringJustin Levitt

This one’s not the work of a criminal mastermind. According to [AG] Platkin, James Devine allegedly emailed the Secretary of State’s Division of Elections about 1,948 fraudulent voter certifications in support of [a] petition for a spot on the… Continue reading

Arizona Supreme Court sanctions Kari Lake’s attorneys

May 4, 2023, 2:14 pmchicanery, election law biz, election subversion riskJustin Levitt

Hot off the press: an order by the Arizona Supreme Court sanctioning Kari Lake’s attorneys for false factual statements to the court. I believe this is at least the second sanctions order issued against Kurt Olsen related to false statements… Continue reading