All posts by Justin Levitt

The 5th Circuit’s Concurrence

October 14, 2014, 3:08 pmelection law and constitutional law, The Voting Wars, voter id, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

Rick just quoted from Judge Costa’s concurrence in the 5th Circuit panel’s order — and I’d like to highlight one part of that concurrence. Judge Costa says, citing cases from Ohio and North Carolina, that “in two recent decisions, [the… Continue reading

Quick Reaction to 5th Circuit ID Order

October 14, 2014, 2:46 pmvoter idJustin Levitt

Essentially, all the marbles of this 5th Circuit order come down to “it’s too close to the election to stop the law from going into effect, because pollworkers will be confused.” It’s important to recognize that the court of appeals… Continue reading

BREAKING: 5th Circuit Stays Voter ID Order

October 14, 2014, 2:15 pmelection administration, The Voting Wars, voter idJustin Levitt

And the wait is over, for now. The 5th Circuit just stayed the district court’s order blocking ID — which means at the moment, the ID law is back in place in Texas. Stay tuned for an application to SCOTUS. … Continue reading

U. Edinburgh Study Suggests Lowering Voting Age to 16

October 14, 2014, 2:04 pmvotingJustin Levitt

The Times of India reports on a University of Edinburgh study reviewing voting in the recent referendum on Scottish independence, in which 16 and 17-year-old citizens were allowed to vote. The study also found that active discussion of the referendum… Continue reading

(Some of) the FEC On (Some of) the Road

October 14, 2014, 2:03 pmcampaign finance, federal election commissionJustin Levitt

In just a few hours, Prof. Nick Stephanopoulos, at Chicago, talks to FEC Vice Chair Ann Ravel, who’s apparently on a “listening tour” across (some of) the country.

“This Ruling Could Put Texas Back In The Doghouse On Voting Law Changes”

October 14, 2014, 2:01 pmThe Voting Wars, voter id, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

TPM covers the potential for bailing Texas back into federal preclearance under the Voting Rights Act, after a finding of intentional discrimination by the federal court reviewing the state’s new ID rule.

“Supreme Court Was Right to Put Voter ID On Hold”

October 14, 2014, 2:00 pmelection administration, election law and constitutional law, Supreme Court, voter idJustin Levitt

From the editorial board of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

November Conference on Judicial Recusal

October 14, 2014, 1:59 pmjudicial electionsJustin Levitt

The NYU Journal of Legislation and Public Policy, the Brennan Center, and the ABA’s Center for Professional Responsibility are one month out from a great-looking symposium on judicial recusal after Caperton. Looks like a wonderful lineup, including academics, advocates, and… Continue reading

Convincing Virginia State Senator Puckett to Stick Around

October 14, 2014, 1:59 pmchicaneryJustin Levitt

The fallout continues for Virginia officials allegedly involved in discussions about persuading State Senator Puckett to put off resigning; when Puckett resigned, Republicans gained control of the Senate. Now, Sen. Mark Warner has explained his conversations about potential jobs for… Continue reading

Great New New York Election Resources

October 14, 2014, 1:57 pmelection administration, election law biz, redistrictingJustin Levitt

From Jim Gardner, Michael Halberstam, and Jeff Wice, and the Jaeckle Center for Law, Democracy and Governance at Buffalo Law School, two great new resources for New York elections. The first is New York Elections News, a blog covering… Continue reading

Court Finds Intent to Discriminate Against Students In NC Early Vote Location

October 14, 2014, 1:17 amelection administrationJustin Levitt

Very interesting. A NC trial court has found that the State Board of Elections, ratifying the majority preference of the Wautauga County Board of Elections (which split along party lines), intended to discriminate against students in moving an early voting… Continue reading

“Mobile ID Stations Canceled” in Texas

October 14, 2014, 1:16 amelection administration, voter idJustin Levitt

I’m not sure how widespread this is, but the Texas Secretary of State’s office has apparently now canceled some local appearances of mobile stations designed to provide photo ID certificates to those who can muster the appropriate documents. I wonder… Continue reading

Outside Money Drives Judges to Campaign Harder

October 14, 2014, 1:15 amcampaign finance, judicial electionsJustin Levitt

The Wall St. Journal reports on an apparent increase in judicial electioneering, in response to outside spending.

“Campaign Finance, 40 Years Later”

October 14, 2014, 1:15 amcampaign financeJustin Levitt

The NY Times holds an all-star (which is not to say all-inclusive) Room for Debate discussion about the state of campaign finance regulation, including Bob Bauer, Joel Gora, our own Rick Hasen, Tara Malloy, Paul Sherman… Continue reading