All posts by Tabatha Abu El-Haj

“A Legal Fight Over Whether Governors Can Deny Thousands the Vote”

October 16, 2023, 2:28 pmUncategorizedfelon disenfranchisement, Kentucky, VirginiaTabatha Abu El-Haj

NY Times: Three states give their governors unfettered discretion when it comes to restoring the voting rights of felons. Two are being sued under the First Amendment. At the heart of these cases is whether a governor’s discretion to… Continue reading

“Judge imposes gag order on Donald Trump in D.C. trial”

October 16, 2023, 10:45 amUncategorizedTrumpTabatha Abu El-Haj

Politico: Judge Tanya Chutkan has imposed a gag order preventing Donald J. Trump from attacking witnesses, special prosecutor Jack Smith, or the court on social media or in his rally speeches. As reported, the order appears to be centered… Continue reading

Republicans Advantage in House Fading

October 16, 2023, 7:50 amUncategorizedredistrictingTabatha Abu El-Haj

The Morning analyzes how redistricting for Congress is shaping up after the rounds of litigation. Its conclusion: The Republican Party’s advantage is fading. “If everything goes Democrats’ way, roughly 10 House seats could become meaningfully easier to win. Next year,… Continue reading

Redistricting Battles

October 16, 2023, 5:19 amUncategorizedracial gerrymanders, redistricting, VRATabatha Abu El-Haj

The newest episode of Our Body Politic has an excellent segment on Alabama’s redistricting fights. It is clear and accessible, and ends with a stark bottom line: “The State of Alabama has never expanded the franchise to black voters on… Continue reading

House Likely to Pick Speaker This Week. But how or whom remains unclear.

October 16, 2023, 4:48 amUncategorizedHouse SpeakershipTabatha Abu El-Haj

The prospects of going another week without a Speaker of the House seems unlikely given Biden’s determination to support Israel. But as this round-up shows, it remains quite unclear who will emerge or how. Jim Jordan can only afford to… Continue reading

The Case for Proportional Representation

September 13, 2023, 8:53 amUncategorizedProportional Representation, ScholarshipTabatha Abu El-Haj

The Democracy Journal, in partnership with Protect Democracy and Democracy Fund, has published a symposium making The Case for Proportional Representation. In a series of essays, Didi Kuo, Guy-Uriel Charles, and other leading scholars explore how winner-take-all elections are aggravating some of our… Continue reading

“The Associational Rights of Political Parties”

July 7, 2023, 7:35 amcumulative voting, political parties, primaries, third partiesNew ScholarshipTabatha Abu El-Haj

Sharing a chapter I have written for The Oxford Handbook of American Election Law (Eugene Mazo, ed.) (2023, forthcoming). The chapter, among other things, stresses the ways that the U.S. Supreme Court’s current approach to the associational freedom of political… Continue reading

Primary Turnout is the Real Philadelphia Story

May 16, 2023, 12:45 pmprimariesranked choice voting, voter turnoutTabatha Abu El-Haj

As reported in the Philadelphia Inquirer, the most encouraging estimates are that turnout in Philadelphia’s mayoral race will be in the “200,000s or low 300,000s.” Based on competitiveness and Democratic registration advantage in the city, we can assume… Continue reading

Handing ELB off to Derek Muller

May 15, 2023, 4:15 amUncategorizedTabatha Abu El-Haj

Direct your tips and queries to him. And a big thanks to Rick Hasen. Every time I do this I realize just what a service Rick provides to all of us.

“Lawmakers Sent Millions In Earmarks To Their Spouses’ Employers Despite Reforms”

May 15, 2023, 4:12 amUncategorizedCongress, political corruptonTabatha Abu El-Haj

The theme of corruption, or at least its appearance, continues in the New Gilded Age. This time it is Congress. The Messenger reports on a review of congressional earmarks since their return in 2021. Many had applauded the use… Continue reading

New Issue: Fordham Law Voting Rights and Democracy Forum

May 14, 2023, 4:51 amredistricting, Uncategorizedfelon disenfranchisement, New Scholarship, rank choice votingTabatha Abu El-Haj

Tired of the 24 hour news cycle? Check out the final issue of the inaugural Fordham Law’s Voting Rights and Democracy Forum. With articles written by both established scholars in the field and JD candidates, it is a refreshing change… Continue reading

“Group Tied to Influential Conservative Activist Spent $183 Million in a Year”

May 13, 2023, 3:08 pmUncategorizedGinni Thomas, money in politics, Supreme CourtTabatha Abu El-Haj

N.Y. Times: New filings show that extent of spending by the Marble Freedom Trust, founded by Leonard A. Leo, on moving the federal judiciary to the right, among other things. Mr. Leo is a lawyer and former executive at… Continue reading

“Judge Strikes Down Law Blocking Those Convicted of Public Corruption From Running for Office”

May 13, 2023, 2:58 pmballot accesspublic corruptionTabatha Abu El-Haj

New York Law Journal: A Manhattan judge has struck down as unconstitutional a New York City law that bars those with convictions for public corruption crimes from running for public office.

“The Supreme Court has an electoral ‘bomb’ on its hands. Will it defuse it before 2024?”

May 13, 2023, 2:39 pmUncategorizedIndependent State Legislature Doctrine, Moore v. HarperTabatha Abu El-Haj

Politico explores the issues for the 2024 election raised by the North Carolina Supreme Court’s recent decision which likely moots Moore v. Harper. Justin Levitt extensively quoted along with Marc Elias.