All posts by Justin Levitt

FEC Approves Microsoft Giving Free Security Package to Candidates

September 10, 2018, 4:06 pmcampaign financeJustin Levitt

Late last week, the FEC unanimously (!) approved an advisory opinion allowing Microsoft to “offer a package of enhanced online account security services at no additional charge on a nonpartisan basis to its election-sensitive customers, including federal candidates and national… Continue reading

“Trump Officials Say They Can’t Recall Discussing Census Citizenship Question”

September 10, 2018, 3:58 pmchicanery, redistricting, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

Hansi Lo Wang, who’s been all over this issue, chronicles the memory loss.

“Judicial Intervention as Judicial Restraint”

September 10, 2018, 1:52 pmelection law and constitutional law, political parties, redistricting, Supreme Court, The Voting WarsJustin Levitt

Guy-Uriel Charles and Luis Fuentes-Rohwer have a new piece forthcoming in the Harvard Law Review, on partisan gerrymandering and justiciability: This paper examines the Court’s decision in Gil v. Whitford. It advances two claims. First, it provides a comprehensive account… Continue reading

“On The Sidelines of Democracy: Exploring Why So Many Americans Don’t Vote”

September 10, 2018, 11:58 amelection administration, redistrictingJustin Levitt

NPR this morning, digging into the reasons why nonvoters don’t.

Garland Might Review Ethics Complaint Against Kavanaugh

September 10, 2018, 11:57 amSupreme CourtJustin Levitt

The water cooler conversation around the DC Circuit these days must be fascinating. The Democratic Coalition says it's filing an ethics complaint against #SCOTUS nominee Brett Kavanaugh re: his answers about whether he received stolen docs: https://t.co/wLKZvu5vc5 These are typically… Continue reading

Eighth Circuit Affirms Invalidation of Ban on PAC-to-PAC Contributions

September 10, 2018, 11:56 amcampaign financeJustin Levitt

The opinion in Free and Fair Election Fund v. Missouri Ethics Commission is here. (h/t Richard Winger)

Massachusetts SOS to Take Control of Two Local Election Offices

September 10, 2018, 11:56 amelection administrationJustin Levitt

The state supervision will include the conduct of the recount in the Democratic primary for the 3d Congressional District.

John Oliver on Felony Disenfranchisement

September 10, 2018, 2:12 amdirect democracy, election law "humor", votingJustin Levitt

Sunday’s main segment was on felony disenfranchisement and Florida’s Amendment 4. With, you know, a few asides.

An Investigation Into the Investigation?

September 10, 2018, 2:10 amDepartment of JusticeJustin Levitt

Dem Members of Congress are calling for OIG investigations at DOJ and DHS into the issuance of the spectacularly broad North Carolina subpoenas of voting information.

“For Older Voters, Getting The Right ID Can Be Especially Tough”

September 10, 2018, 2:09 amvoter idJustin Levitt

NPR reports on the work of Spread the Vote, one of the two main national organizations (VoteRiders is the other) helping eligible voters get the IDs they need.

“Trump waives millions in claims against Stormy Daniels in new fallout from illegal payoff”

September 10, 2018, 2:08 amcampaign finance, chicaneryJustin Levitt

LA Times: President Trump has agreed to give up his right to pursue millions of dollars in damages against Stormy Daniels in a move to kill litigation over an illegal payoff to the adult-film star. The maneuver marks a… Continue reading

Hi, Everybody

September 10, 2018, 2:07 amUncategorizedJustin Levitt

And Shana Tovah. It’s Justin: I’ll be at the helm of the blog for a day or two. Please send your news (and your hate mail) my way for the next 48 hours.

Kavanaugh, Foreign Agents, and American Elections

September 4, 2018, 6:40 amcampaign finance, statutory interpretation, Supreme CourtJustin Levitt

Justin here, with my own take on Kavanaugh and the election process, also cross-posted over at the Take Care blog: In the 2016 elections, we were hacked. I don’t mean the breach of the DNC systems, serious as… Continue reading

Texas redistricting ain’t over yet

July 5, 2018, 7:51 amredistricting, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

Just before the holiday, Rick posted a Texas redistricting update: the trial court issued a briefing order asking what’s left of the case after SCOTUS remand. Rick thought “there’s not much left to do.” But while most of the… Continue reading