Just a few days before Idaho’s May 17 primaries, Republicans took their internal fights to court.
“In the virtual hearing [last] Friday afternoon, Fourth District Court Judge Jason Scott heard arguments from intertwined Republican organizations — one suing the… Continue reading
Michael Li of Brennan Center notes: “Special master Jonathan Cervas has released his initial draft of a replacement New York congressional map. Interested parties have until Wed, 5/18 to submit comments. Final maps will be released Fri, 5/20.” Analysis on… Continue reading
Shane Goldmacher at N.Y. Times reports on the “Little Red Boxes” appearing on many Democratic primary candidates’ websites to direct their Super PACs’ messaging strategies. The basic principle is not new, but the details are interesting. Republicans this… Continue reading
AP News
“[A]cross the country this year, . . . state judicial races become increasingly politicized over issues such as partisan gerrymandering, abortion and gun rights. Voters in 32 states this year will cast ballots on state supreme court seats,… Continue reading
The Wall Street Journal is not the first to lament that the 2021 redistricting cycle is not likely to produce very many competitive districts. But how much should we care? The call for competitive elections presumes that electoral accountability emerges… Continue reading
In an unexpected move, the Republican chair of the Pennsylvania House Committee on redistricting is planning to debate a citizen map as the starting point for the commonwealth’s congressional redistricting negotiations. The “citizen map” chosen by State Rep. Seth… Continue reading
Moderate Republicans struggling to stay in office given party primary dynamics is not exactly news. Still, this Politico article on the Republican Party in Massachusetts is worthwhile.
“Republicans [in Massachusetts] have clung to relevancy in this bluest of blue state… Continue reading
N.Y. Times‘ Carl Hulse offers an update on where the Biden administration efforts to appoint federal judges stand.
“In contrast to the administration’s struggle on its legislative agenda, the lower-profile judicial push has been one of the highlights of… Continue reading
Reuters
“Pope Francis appealed on Saturday for a return to ‘good politics.’ saying democracy has deteriorated dangerously as discontented people are lured by the ‘siren songs’ of populist politicians who promise easy but unrealistic solutions.”
Nick Corasaniti at the N.Y. Times is predicting that 2022 will bring even more efforts by Republican-led legislatures to make voting harder.
“After passing 33 laws of voting limits in 19 states this year, Republicans in at least five states… Continue reading
Russell Wheeler, Brookings Institute
Wheeler shows that while “Trump’s election litigation efforts failed decisively[,] . . . more judges than is generally assumed found his lawyers’ arguments persuasive.” The key point is that judicial independence is unlikely to be impervious… Continue reading